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Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
19 posts | 2 read | 6 to read
Edwin Block's days of coasting through life are over. Having failed his latest final exam, his college has placed him on academic suspension. Adrift and facing an uncertain future, he makes the acquaintance of BB, an enigmatic figure who was himself previously suspended from the same school and has returned to campus to exact revenge. His plan? To steal the statue of the college's early benefactor, Thomas Bartholomew Bradford. Roped into assisting BB with his scheme, the pair soon find themselves in trouble with the law and on the run. What follows is a journey across the country, during which Edwin gradually becomes aware of a strange, fatalistic cult whose leader claims to commune with the Gods and have special insights into the fate preordained for humankind. As circumstances lead Edwin to the cult's desert compound, he begins to have visions of his own - a moving truck, a nuclear warhead, and images of Lower Manhattan reduced to rubble. It is a nightmarish scenario he would do anything to avoid bringing about. But does he have a choice?
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RaeLovesToRead
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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@The_Penniless_Author

You said I didn't have to read it, but you wanted to see it with other books - so here's a picture for you all the way from the UK! 😁💕 Looks pretty cosy, right?

Of course, I will actually read it! It has been added to Mount TBR.

If I ever get my poetry published, I'll send a copy to you in Vermont. I suspect my work is destined only for posthumous glory, so all you've got to do to avoid that fate is not outlive me 🤣

slategreyskies Ah, I write poetry too. It‘s a little easier submitting my work now, since I‘ve gotten so many rejections by now that it‘s just more of the same, but sometimes, especially when the work is more personal, it still stings a bit to get rejected. All the best to you in your poetry work!! Keep on writing! 💕 3y
RaeLovesToRead @slategreyskies Aww, thanks! You too! 😊 I need to find an agent because most publishers in the UK don't accept unsolicited submissions. I should probably try entering some competitions, but now I've finished my first collection I don't like splitting them up! 😄 3y
Alfoster Why don‘t you and @slategreyskies put some of your poetry on here! We‘d love to read it and you know we‘re a willing audience!👏 3y
See All 11 Comments
RaeLovesToRead @Alfoster Thank you for the enthusiasm 😊💕 I'm quite shy about it at the moment (a few Littens are currently having a read of my manuscript)... but that's a lovely idea! 😄 3y
Alfoster I understand! We can wait!🤞 3y
The_Penniless_Author Oh cool, my book has English friends! 🇬🇧 Thanks for the support. I'll gladly read your poetry, whether you're alive or dead 😂 I'll start exercising more and cut back on the processed foods so I can live to see the day. 3y
Branwen Dragon! Book cart! Book piles! So many things in this post make me happy! 😁💕📚 3y
RaeLovesToRead @Branwen ☺ My room needs a serious tidy, but the books seem to be multiplying when I'm not looking!!!! Even with Rocky keeping watch! 3y
Cathythoughts Great pic ❤️ 3y
RaeLovesToRead @Cathythoughts Thanks! 😄💕 3y
51 likes11 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Many thanks to Review Tales for their review of my novel, Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet:

https://jeyranmain.com/2021/09/29/memoir-of-a-doomsday-prophet-by-randall-devall...

Links to online retailers where you can purchase a copy can be found here:

https://www.beaconpublishinggroup.com/memoirofadoomsdayprophet

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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Was excited to see a short review of my book show up in Vermont's free weekly, Seven Days, today 🙂

https://m.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/page-32-short-takes-on-five-vermont-books/Cont...

DivineDiana Congratulations! 👏🏻📚👏🏻 3y
Leftcoastzen Congrats!🎉 3y
Nute That‘s cool!🙌🏽 3y
42 likes3 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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I'm getting a glimpse into just how difficult it is for indy book retailers to compete with Amazon and Walmart. My book was published three months ago, list price 14.99. About one month ago, Amazon started dropping the price, which Walmart would match the next day, after which Amazon would again drop by a few cents to undercut them. It's now reached nearly half its original price, meaning these companies are only profiting $0.15 per book sold. 👇

The_Penniless_Author No small, local bookstore could survive off margins like that. I'm torn between directing people to these sites in order to save a bunch of money and encouraging them to avoid them for the same reason. I still shop on Amazon, but stuff like this really makes me want to try harder to avoid it whenever possible. 3y
BookishMarginalia It‘s crazy, isn‘t it? 3y
Velvetfur Ugh, I hate Amazon so much! I never buy anything from them, partly for the reason in your post, and partly 'cos that Bezos fella is too rich, he's not getting any of my money. Also I check if a company is owned by Amazon before buying from them, and if they are - no sale. People power 👍🏻 3y
The_Penniless_Author @Velvetfur I try to avoid them whenever I can, but I could be better about it. The influence they wield (let alone the potential influence if they continue to grow as they have been) is terrifying. With my own book, I find myself in a weird situation- I'll get the same royalty from Amazon's 7.65 sale as another store's 14.99 sale. So it's good for me, but terrible for the stores I like to shop at. 3y
Velvetfur @The_Penniless_Author Hmmm, yeah, I can see the dilemma there 🤔 3y
38 likes5 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Hey there, fellow Littens! For a limited time, Amazon is offering a deal on my novel, 'Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet'. You can order your copy for only $10.41, a 31% savings off the cover price.

https://www.amazon.com/Memoir-Doomsday-Prophet-Randall-Devallance/dp/1949472310/...

review
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Pickpick

4 ⭐️s
A page turner with great lines and a wit that had me laugh out loud more than once. It‘s also dark at times, expressing the struggle of mankind against its own expectations and the cruelty we put others through to make ourselves feel in control of something. I enjoyed the “fly by the seat of your pants” style. 🔽

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm It brought you into Edwin‘s uneasy mindset. I‘m not sure I liked the ending, but I also think it‘s the type of story where I‘m not supposed to. The book isn‘t for people that want a tidy bow at the end. 4y
Ruthiella Sounds great! Stacking. 😀 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! 4y
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paulfrankspencer I figured I'd be the first to review it here, but you edged me out. Alas. 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @paulfrankspencer I didn‘t even realize I was the very first until now! 😱🤯 4y
The_Penniless_Author You're the first! I didn't realize you had left this review until I saw Paul's, and then noticed yours below it. I'm so happy you enjoyed it and appreciate the kind words. I also love the photo and the suggestion that my book has the power to destroy an urban coastline. 😂 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @The_Penniless_Author You‘re very welcome. The image made me think of the dream sequence Edwin first has in his apartment. It was also very fitting for how the book makes an impact. 😅 4y
33 likes1 stack add7 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Sold three copies of my book over the weekend to a used book store for $20 and the three books pictured here. Maybe this will be how I can subsidize my reading habit for the next few months 🙂

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MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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😂🤣😂🤣
I can‘t put this one down. It‘s fantastic!

Jennifer3 Your nails! So cool! 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Jennifer3 Daaw, thanks! 🤗 I can finally paint them with the new job I have. I used one of those Biutee stamper kits for the design. 💅 4y
magyklyXdelish Love the nails! 4y
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Jennifer3 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm That looks great, I use nail polish strips because I alway ruin my nails when they are drying. 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Jennifer3 I feel ya! I had to get a nail drying fan because I kept smudging and ruining mine. 4y
20 likes6 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Couldn't help sharing this nice review of Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet that Kirkus published today. A big thanks once again to everyone who's purchased a copy or otherwise offered their support!

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/randall-devallance/memoir-of-a-doomsd...

Suet624 Congrats! Is your book available to purchase in a Vermont bookstore? 4y
The_Penniless_Author @Suet624 It should be available at Phoenix Books in Burlington and Essex in the next few days. I hope to place it in a few other stores in the near future. 4y
The_Penniless_Author @Suet624 Edit: It's available at Burlington Phoenix as of today and Essex in the next day or two. 4y
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Suet624 That‘s. Great. I live in Hyde Park but work part time in Burlington. I‘lll stop by Phoenix to grab a copy. 4y
Suet624 Also, there are 3 bookstores near me. If they agree to taking your book, I‘m happy to deliver them. 4y
The_Penniless_Author @Suet624 That's great, thank you so much! What are the bookstores near you? I've been calling or emailing everyone I can think of 🙂 4y
Suet624 Galaxy Bookstore in Hardwick, Ebenezer Bookstore in Johnson, Bridgeside Books in Waterbury. There is also Bear Pond Books in Stowe (which is strangely not affiliated with the store with the same name in Montpelier). 4y
The_Penniless_Author @Suet624 I've been to Bear Pond Books a few times (the Stowe one, not Montpelier). I've never been to the other three, although I've heard of Galaxy Bookstore. I'll contact them soon. Speaking Volumes in Burlington just took three copies, and Flying Pig in Shelburne is going to take some too, so I've been having some luck today. 4y
Suet624 Nice!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💕💕💕 4y
38 likes1 stack add9 comments
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MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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My pre-order of Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet by @The_Penniless_Author came in today, World Book Day! 😱😍 I didn‘t expect it til May 9. I went out to get my husband‘s GameFly games for him and had a pleasant surprise waiting just for me. I‘m eager to get to it, but it‘s already on my list for May‘s bingo, so it will have to wait a wee bit longer.

I will admit to peeking at the first line though...

The_Penniless_Author Hooray! I'm enjoying seeing all the photos of people's copies of the book. Believe it or not, my author copies still haven't shown up! Anyway, thanks again for your support 🙂 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @The_Penniless_Author You‘re very welcome. I hope you don‘t have to wait too much longer for copies of your own book. That seems very backwards to me. 😅 4y
34 likes2 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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I'm still figuring out exactly how Reedsy works, but if anyone has a free moment I would appreciate it if you would head over to @ReedsyDiscovery and “upvote“ my book. Apparently, the books with the most upvotes get featured in Reedsy's weekly newsletter of new releases.

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/memoir-of-a-doomsday-prophet-randall-devallanc...

Thanks again for everyone's support. You've all been great, like always! 😊

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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Shameless self-promotion time... 🙄

It's official! Launch day is here for my new book, 'Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet'.

You can order a copy from most major book retailers. Direct purchase links are available on my publisher, Beacon Publishing Group's website:
https://www.beaconpublishinggroup.com/memoirofadoomsdayprophet

Thank you to everyone in the Litsy community for their support and well wishes!

mjdowens Will definitely be checking it out. Always glad to support 😊 4y
The_Penniless_Author @mjdowens Thanks so much! 4y
peanutnine Cool cover! 4y
The_Penniless_Author @peanutnine Thanks! I was happy with how it turned out. 4y
40 likes1 stack add4 comments
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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Nice advance review of Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet that just posted to Google Books!

https://books.google.com/books?id=gp4wzgEACAAJ&sitesec=reviews

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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Brand new landing page for my book on my publisher's website. Includes an expanded list of links to stores where you can pre-order a copy:

https://www.beaconpublishinggroup.com/memoirofadoomsdayprophet

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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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For all you anti-Amazonians out there, I just wanted to mention that my book is now also available for preorder on Barnes & Noble's website!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/memoir-of-a-doomsday-prophet-randall-devallance...

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The_Penniless_Author
Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet | Randall DeVallance
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Hello, Littens!

I am happy to say that my upcoming book, Memoir of a Doomsday Prophet, is now available for advanced review on Book Siren. Readers can download an ARC for free and will be asked to write a review, if interested (note: a review is not required).

Anyone interested can follow the link referenced in the image above: https://booksirens.com/book/6DMGADZ/3K30C5A

Thanks in advance to all those who take the time to check out my book.