Writers Without Walls — Origin Story

Created by JD.

Sometimes the most impactful ideas are born from moments of frustration. In 2018, I came across a tweet that would plant the seed for what would eventually become Writers Without Walls. The tweet stated that literary agents required writers to have a minimum of 50,000 followers across social media platforms and maintain constant engagement with their audience.

As a single father without a support network, this struck a particular chord with me. I distinctly remember seeing a tweet from another writer asking, “Hey writers who are single parents — when do you find time to write?”

My response was this photo that said it all: my young son perched on my shoulders while I attempted to look at the camera, a perfect visual metaphor for the balancing act parents who write must perform. I captioned it simply: “When you figure it out, let me know.”

Not a great image, but you get the idea. JD and son.

The photo, both humorous and telling, perfectly encapsulated the reality many writers face: trying to balance their passion for writing with the demands of parenthood, work, and now an increasingly complex publishing landscape that demands constant social media presence.

The Birth of an Idea

The traditional publishing industry has created a system where writers, most of whom don’t make a living from their craft, are expected to juggle full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and an exhausting social media presence. The question that kept nagging at me was simple yet profound: “When do writers actually get to write?”

This question became the catalyst for Writers Without Walls. The vision was clear — we needed to create a system that would support writers rather than burden them with additional obstacles. The journey from concept to reality wasn’t straightforward. I initially explored various platforms, including Web3 solutions, but finding the right foundation and building trust within the writing community proved to be a careful, deliberate process.

A Serendipitous Connection

The project took a significant turn on September 1st when David Meyer posted on Twitter: “I subscribe to the Poets & Writers magazine and it’s absolutely wonderful! It gives me inspiration and encouragement in the crazy writer and publishing world. Now, who wants to start a Web3 Writers magazine with me?”

My response? A simple “Oh oh. Oh Oh.” accompanied by a gif that captured exactly what I was thinking — this was the moment, the opportunity I’d been waiting for. What started as a lighthearted Twitter exchange would blossom into a partnership that would reshape our vision for the future of writing.

JD’s Twitter screenshot

David and I quickly discovered we shared more than just a passion for writing — we both had similar frustrations with the current publishing system and a vision for how Web3 technology could revolutionize the industry. This chance interaction on social media became the catalyst for what would become Writers Without Walls as we know it today.

Evolution and Growth

What started as a response to industry barriers has evolved into a comprehensive platform supporting writers at every stage of their journey. Writers Without Walls isn’t just a community — it’s a movement aimed at decentralizing the writing industry and giving power back to creators. You can read about our goals in our whitepaper.

Today, we’ve expanded beyond our initial vision to include innovative tools and services:

• StorySensAI, SummarySensAI, and ConceptSensAI: AI-powered tools designed to support, not replace, the creative process
• SyncroPub: A revolutionary publishing tool in development for streamlined content distribution (slated for second quarter 2025 beta release)
• AuthentiAuthor: A verification system ensuring transparency in AI-assisted writing. (To be developed.)

Plus more tools available soon and more in development. Join our community to get first look-in and beta access invites.

Building the Future

With the addition of Andrew Zavitsanos to our founding team, bringing over 20 years of project and service management experience, Writers Without Walls continues to grow and evolve. Our mission remains unchanged: to break down the walls that traditionally separate writers from success, whether they’re technological, social, or economic barriers.

We’re building more than just a platform — we’re creating a new ecosystem where writers can thrive without sacrificing their creativity or well-being. From our fortnightly newsletter to our growing suite of tools, every aspect of Writers Without Walls is designed with one goal in mind: supporting writers in their journey to make a living from their craft while maintaining their artistic integrity.

Join the Revolution

What began as a response to an unrealistic social media requirement has grown into a movement reshaping how writers connect, create, and succeed in the digital age. We invite you to be part of this revolution — whether you’re a seasoned author or just beginning your writing journey.

Writers Without Walls stands as a testament to what’s possible when we challenge the status quo and put writers’ needs first. Together, we’re not just breaking down walls; we’re building bridges to a future where creativity knows no bounds.

Are you ready to join a community that puts writers first? Visit WritersWithoutWalls.com to learn more about how you can be part of this growing movement.

Written by James “JD” Armstrong
Founder, Writers Without Walls
Originally published at https://blog.writerswithoutwalls.com on February 9, 2025.