Last year I read the blurb for an upcoming book by SJD Peterson: Something's Brewing at Joe's (SB) and I was shocked / puzzled. The story seemed to be a copy of my old favourite Ally Blue's The Happy Onion (HO). And yes, the blurb was enough. HO is unique 
But then I figured maybe it's more of an homage type thing and forgot it. But I didn't buy Peterson's book.
I was reading of a new plagiarism case and remembered these books, so I decided to try SB. And no it's not an homage, just plain old copying. At least the story and many of the scenes. It's not as clear as some we've seen, but clear enough. There is more original writing than in some cases.
And people in goodreads are happy that Peterson has finally written something light and funny... Well, the funny parts are not hers. Ironically in her dedication Peterson writes "To LuLu, who tried her best to keep me from writing this story. I win!"
How do you feel about this bit?
The Happy Onion:
He glided down the narrow alley running behind The Happy Onion with a profound sense of relief. After chaining his bike to the red metal rack, he dug his keys out of the messenger bag slung over his shoulder and unlocked the back door. He stepped inside with a big grin on his face and bumped the door shut with his hip.
“Hello, HO,” he exclaimed, dropping his bag on the floor and flinging his arms wide. “Did you miss me, baby? I sure as fuck missed you.”
The cluttered storage room, predictably, did not answer. Phil didn’t mind. This cozy little place never failed to speak to him in its own way.
Something's Brewing at Joe's:
He parked in the alleyway behind the shop, got off the bike, and set his helmet on the seat. Satchel slung over his shoulder, he stepped up to the service entrance and unlocked the back door. He stepped inside, the big grin on his face growing even larger, and bumped the door shut with his hip.
“Good morning, old Kaffeinate café,” he exclaimed. He dropped his bag on the floor. “Did you miss me?” Of course, the empty room didn’t answer, but that did little to dampen Joe’s happy mood. He loved this place.
The scenes don't end there of course. Both Phil (HO) and Joe (SB) continue doing similar things.
There are many scenes that are eerily similar even if not direct copies. If you want to check I'd recommend you start with HO, then read the blurb of SB and if you still are unsure, read SB.
I feel the worst part is that Peterson wrote her book right after Samhain Publishing closed and published it at the same time as Ally Blue self-published HO, so Ally can't get any help from her publisher anymore.
But then I figured maybe it's more of an homage type thing and forgot it. But I didn't buy Peterson's book. I was reading of a new plagiarism case and remembered these books, so I decided to try SB. And no it's not an homage, just plain old copying. At least the story and many of the scenes. It's not as clear as some we've seen, but clear enough. There is more original writing than in some cases.
And people in goodreads are happy that Peterson has finally written something light and funny... Well, the funny parts are not hers. Ironically in her dedication Peterson writes "To LuLu, who tried her best to keep me from writing this story. I win!"
How do you feel about this bit?
The Happy Onion:
He glided down the narrow alley running behind The Happy Onion with a profound sense of relief. After chaining his bike to the red metal rack, he dug his keys out of the messenger bag slung over his shoulder and unlocked the back door. He stepped inside with a big grin on his face and bumped the door shut with his hip.
“Hello, HO,” he exclaimed, dropping his bag on the floor and flinging his arms wide. “Did you miss me, baby? I sure as fuck missed you.”
The cluttered storage room, predictably, did not answer. Phil didn’t mind. This cozy little place never failed to speak to him in its own way.
Something's Brewing at Joe's:
He parked in the alleyway behind the shop, got off the bike, and set his helmet on the seat. Satchel slung over his shoulder, he stepped up to the service entrance and unlocked the back door. He stepped inside, the big grin on his face growing even larger, and bumped the door shut with his hip.
“Good morning, old Kaffeinate café,” he exclaimed. He dropped his bag on the floor. “Did you miss me?” Of course, the empty room didn’t answer, but that did little to dampen Joe’s happy mood. He loved this place.
The scenes don't end there of course. Both Phil (HO) and Joe (SB) continue doing similar things.
There are many scenes that are eerily similar even if not direct copies. If you want to check I'd recommend you start with HO, then read the blurb of SB and if you still are unsure, read SB.
I feel the worst part is that Peterson wrote her book right after Samhain Publishing closed and published it at the same time as Ally Blue self-published HO, so Ally can't get any help from her publisher anymore.
