Paul W. Neville On Books And Writing

Taylor Dibbert
Feb 28, 2026

For my latest author interview, I turn to Paul. W. Neville. He’s a U.S. Foreign Service Officer who currently resides in the Netherlands.

This interview has been edited lightly.

You published “Endless Horizons” in January 2025. Would you tell me a little bit about it?

“Endless Horizons” centers on the year I spent traveling around the world after completing my Peace Corps service in Tonga. I write about my transformative backpacking journey across Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America.

I describe not only my experiences and adventures, but also the informal global community of independent travelers. I talk about shared hostels, overnight buses, chance reunions, and friendships that form between strangers moving through the world with backpacks and curiosity. The book reflects on how that culture of global backpacking shapes identity, challenges assumptions, and creates a unique sense of belonging among people constantly in motion.

How long did it take to write? Do you have a writing routine?

I actually wrote the first full draft in the year after returning from the trip. The experiences were still fresh, and I wanted to capture the emotions and details before they faded. But then life intervened — career, family, and other responsibilities took priority — and the manuscript sat unfinished for nearly twenty years. Revisiting it later was both nostalgic and clarifying. I had the benefit of perspective and maturity, which helped me refine the narrative and deepen its themes.

When I finally committed to finishing it, I relied on consistency rather than bursts of inspiration. I wrote early in the mornings before the day took over, even if only for an hour. Momentum mattered more than perfection. The long gap between draft and publication ultimately strengthened the book, allowing me to shape youthful adventure with the reflection of lived experience.

How did you get the book published?

I chose the independent publishing route. After completing the manuscript, I worked with professional editors to strengthen structure and clarity, then collaborated with a designer for the cover and formatting. I published through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform, which allowed me to retain creative control and bring the book to readers efficiently. I later produced an audiobook edition as well, which added another dimension to the storytelling experience.

Is there a particularly funny, entertaining or memorable part that you could share here?

One of my favorite stories takes place in northern Thailand, when I was en route to the small mountain town of Pai after weeks of near-constant travel. I had planned to rest in Chiang Mai, but rest has never been my strength.

While killing time before my bus, I wandered into what I thought was a quiet temple compound and discovered it was actually part of a local primary school. A teacher spotted me, invited me inside, and before I knew it, I was reliving my Peace Corps teaching days, back at the front of a classroom drawing maps on the board and answering rapid-fire questions from fifty curious children. They asked everything from what snow feels like to whether I owned a light saber. Then came the twist. After an hour of English practice, the teacher announced it was time to sing. I smiled, assuming the children would begin. Instead, they all stared at me. They were waiting for the foreign guest. I had never sung solo in my life, but there I was, in front of a classroom in Thailand, panic rising.

In desperation, I launched into “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Halfway through, I forgot the lyrics and began improvising lines about stars being “really bright, so light and right.” Eventually I resorted to humming. To my astonishment, the room erupted in applause, and they even asked for an encore. I declined, claiming I had a bus to catch, and made my exit with what little musical dignity I had left.

Regarding future travel plans, are there any countries you hope to visit for the first time?

At this point, I’ve been fortunate to visit more than 120 countries. But I’m not finished yet. I’d love to eventually see the rest. Antarctica remains high on my list, both for its stark beauty and the sense of standing at the edge of the world.

Travel feels different now that I have a family and three young sons. My goal is not just to keep exploring myself, but to bring them along. Sharing new cultures, landscapes, and perspectives with them, and watching the world expand through their eyes, may be the greatest journey ahead.