Q & A with Veronica del Valle, author of The Book of Four Journeys

Sometimes the beginnings of a journey feel almost accidental—a tilt in direction, a quiet realization, or a boundary crossed without fully noticing. The Book of Four Journeys by Veronica del Valle brings together four stories shaped by these kinds of openings, each one unfolding as characters move from the familiar into undiscovered spaces.

The Book of Four Journeys introduces four separate tales linked by the idea that every adventure changes the one who undertakes it. The stories center on Alfalfa Spooly, Mumik and Pimnik, Neboo McCloudy, and Lincoln Jax—each encountering a path that leads into uncertainty, risk, and discovery.

Alfalfa Spooly, a dedicated postman, takes on a mission that requires him to step across the threshold into the unknown, forcing him to face challenges far beyond the routines he knows. Siblings Mumik and Pimnik begin in different places but move through unfamiliar territories as they search for one another, uncovering new dangers and surprises along the way. Neboo McCloudy, a grumpy but determined creature, confronts his greatest fears as he seeks a secret treasure connected to a world beyond what he understands. And Lincoln Jax, an orphan girl driven by longing and curiosity, travels toward a hidden kingdom that may hold the answers she has been seeking.

Across these four stories, Veronica del Valle weaves adventures that blend peculiar characters, unpredictability, and the quiet courage required to face the unknown.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/47XykFd

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58025684-the-book-of-four-journeys

Q & A: Your Writing Life

Do you write every day? What’s your schedule?

Where do you write—home, coffee shop, train?

Any quirky writing rituals or must-have snacks?

I try to write every day. Discipline is very important to me, even if some days I only manage one very bad sentence. If I waited for inspiration to come, I suspect I’d still be curating an exquisite collection of half-written stories.

It might sound painfully boring, but I always write in the mornings at my desk in complete silence, with (this bit is less boring; and it’s essential and delicious) mate —a traditional Argentine tea— always by my side.

Although I’m no illustrator, I like to sketch characters, places, and maps on paper. Then I pin them to a moodboard above my desk, so the world of the book I’m writing stares back at me while I work.

Veronica del Valle is the author of The Word-Keeper and The Book of Four Journeys. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University and has worked as an editor and writer for news organizations and magazines in both London and Argentina. She has also taught creative writing at Universidad de San Andrés. Now based in Buenos Aires, she continues to write stories shaped by her love of language, imagination, and adventure. Learn more at her website and on Instagram.