There’s a quiet tension in the moments before a character ventures into unfamiliar territory—when expectation and hesitation balance in equal measure. The Book of Four Journeys by Veronica del Valle captures four of these moments, tracing the beginnings of journeys shaped by uncertainty, movement, and the gradual widening of what lies ahead.
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.
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.
Amazon: https://bit.ly/47XykFd
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58025684-the-book-of-four-journeys
Author Q&A
How did you research your book?
The Book of Four Journeys grew out of my fascination with the idea of the hero’s journey —that timeless mythic pattern that reveals how every adventure is, in the end, a path toward self-discovery. I wanted to explore what that means for younger readers today, in a world that often feels both vast and uncertain.
Where do you get your ideas?
Honestly, I don’t really know. Everywhere around me. Everywhere within me, too. I’m not sure.
Sometimes ideas come from things I’ve read, people I’ve met, or places I’ve travelled to. Other times, they seem to rise from somewhere deep inside, very much uninvited.
I often wonder where ideas truly come from; they feel less like something we invent and more like something we stumble upon.
What sets your book apart from others in your genre?
The reader will not find any dragons, wizards or witches in this book, but that doesn’t mean it is not filled with the most peculiar and unexpected characters, like Alfalfa Spooly, a postman who will dare cross the threshold into the unknown to carry out a menacing mission. Mumik and Pimnik, a brother and a sister who will explore unknown territories as they set about finding each other. Neboo McCloudy, a grumpy creature ready to weather his biggest fears so he can discover an otherworldly treasure. And Lincoln Jax, an orphan girl in search of a kingdom that holds the answer to everything she is looking for.
What helps you overcome writer’s block?
I go for a walk; movement somehow frees the story. There’s something about being outside, and in motion, that untangles whatever was stuck on the page.
What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?
My favorite compliment comes when a child says they loved the story, or that it helped or inspired them. There’s a raw, unfiltered honesty in a kid’s reaction. There’s no polish, no pretense, just the truth. It’s the ultimate review.
Why did you choose this setting/topic?
As I said above, this book grew out of my fascination with the concept of the hero’s journey; the idea that every great adventure, no matter how far it takes you, is ultimately about finding out who you are.
From Gulliver’s Travels to The Odyssey and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I’ve always been fascinated by how these stories chart the outer world as a reflection of the inner one; how every voyage, no matter how distant, mirrors a deeper transformation within.
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