Comments on: Authors Behaving Badly Episode #1: Dara Joy

By: On the Moral Status of Snarky Reviews « Racy Romance Reviews

On the Moral Status of Snarky Reviews « Racy Romance Reviews — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:31:26 +0000

[...] and secondarily on the relationship of the book to the author. somce discussion fo that here and here. [...]

By: snowdrop

snowdrop — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:00:29 +0000

As for getting a free short story: it would definitely have to be polished up more than her past two self-published books. It was a real pain for me to read them. And once reading an author’s books becomes a “mental” pain, I’d rather not read anything further by that author.

By: snowdrop

snowdrop — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:42:31 +0000

I quite agree with Amy. I loved her first, well-imagined books and decided to continue getting her books when she started self-publishing. “That Familiar Touch” was downright amateurish in writing, spelling, punctuation. As a former teacher, I wanted to correct at least 10 things–it seemed–on every page. And the short story “In Kirkpatrick’s Wood”–can’t she even spell forest (instead of “forrest”)? She certainly needs a knowledgeable editor and proofreader
(This is probably not correctly punctuated either. (grin))

It took me over a year to finally get Wildcat Arrows. I also threatened dire consequences after forking over my hard-earned money and cutting down on food in order to pay the exorbitant shipping price. By that time I was so fed up, I’ve hardly bothered to look at the book, never mind read it.

BTW, High Energy came out in 1996, High Intensity in 2000.

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:32:33 +0000

It was Dara’s deeply imaginative writing that inspired me to get my own work published, so I am heartbroken over this mess.

It took nine months and some of the most ridiculous excuses I have ever heard, before I finally received her first self published book. In my opinion ‘That Familiar Touch’ was just a vague reflection of Dara’s former outstanding writing. The end was not even worthy of comment, except to say, perhaps Ms. Joy has acquired a ghost writing partner.

The second self published book was not memorable in the least. I couldn’t even finish it and I would sell the rights to my own manuscript, before believing for a second that she wrote that book.

I didn’t even bother with ‘Death by Ploot Ploot’

By: Rhyanna DeTuathana

Rhyanna DeTuathana — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:15:06 +0000

HI I wonder if the reason Dara hasn’t posted anything specific about an upcoming novel to be released is because she is finding it difficult for another publishing company to take her on, especially since this fiasco with Dorchester, allegedly frauding fans, etc.

If Cory is her manager, I personally would FIRE HIM. If he is more to her than that, still, I would not allow him to make personal-career moves/decisions for me.

So on the comments to dump Cory, I would have to agree.

By: Annetta

Annetta — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:16:27 +0000

Thanks for the update Brenda.
I cannot imagine what she (Dara of course) is waiting for. You would think that all the time she was waiting for the suit to settle she would have been writing, but I guess not. Oh, well, we waited this long for something new, what’s a little more wait.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:01:14 +0000

I just found the list of stories in “This Year’s Christmas Present” on buydotcom and sure enough Dara’s contribution is a “Santa Reads Romance”, which is an old story that was in “The Night Before Christmas”. Too bad! As much as Dara has behaved badly, I still want to be able to read a new published story from her.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:44:46 +0000

I agree Brenda, Dara Joy has handled this whole thing atrociously and is still doing so by giving readers nothing except a weird blog page where they post strange pictures of animals.

But I liked her books and I have an inkling of hope for a Mills & Gregor story now….yep, I’m obsessive, umm, how long ago was High Energy published?

Anyway I’m leaning towards that book out in September to be a re print of Santa Reads Christmas or something.

NP btw, Annette. Fantastic Fiction is a great info site on all authors and books, I really like it.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:15:59 +0000

I think Sandra Hill has left Dorchester. It appears that she fullfilled her contract obligations first like other authors have done. So I would never think of putting her in the same catagory as Dara. As far as the way she treats her fans, she has two free novellas on her website, which is what Dara should have done with “Death by Ploot Ploot” rather than charging so much money for a short story. I love Sandra’s stories also.

By: Rhyanna

Rhyanna — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:01:00 +0000

HI Brenda who else is leaving Dorchester? THe reason I ask is that I want to make sure to check things out before i submit my manuscript “THE WITCH OF HIS DREAMS” to Dorchester.

Thanks.

Rhyanna