When James Robinson’s blog Voyages in America was discontinued from Stuff.co.nz he decided, with the help of loyal readers, to turn that blog – and some contextual additions – into a book. That book, also called Voyages in America, is now available to order via his website. Or you can follow his voyages into self-publishing via his Facebook page. He reached his Kickstarter goal and set to writing new pieces and editing together some of his favourite blog-posts to make a story of his voyages in America, his return visits to New Zealand, the differences between the countries and his story of falling in love in America and falling in love with America. Also within the pages of the book you’ll get a glimpse of the freelance writer at work – daily and weekly deadlines, assignments that take him around America to meet ex-pat Kiwis, visit popular tourist destinations and analyse pop-culture and political aspects of America; all of that and the usual concerns of a 20-something writer.

I’ve read an advance copy of Voyages and I loved it. I had, as a fellow Stuff blogger (Blog On The Tracks) kept up with most of James’ Voyages as they were happening in that forum, what I like about his book endeavour is that he’s found a way to package up and sell his stories, creating an arc – moving his adventures forward, shaping them for a new context. There are bridging essays that are new to the book, a chance to reflect, to summarise, to revisit.

It’s an honest and engaging read. If you’ve supported the book already via Kickstarter then your copy will be winging its way to you shortly. But if you want to sign up now – and I reckon it’s a pretty great gift idea too – then visit his Voyages in America website to purchase your copy of Voyages in America: A Story of Homes Lost and Found.

Voyages in America is officially released August 1.