 Ohio’s Original Interscholastic Creative Writing Program for Middle Schools |
2026 Power of the Pen State Tournament
The 2026 State Tournament is planned for Sunday-Monday, May 17-18, 2026. |
Sunday-Monday, May 17-18, 2026, at Ashland University
On this page, you'll find information as it becomes available about the schedule, activities, and more. Email info@powerofthepen.org with general questions about the State Tournament. If any Google Form on this page will not load, refresh the page. If you are using a school account and the Google Form does not work, contact your IT administrator because the school may block access to outside Google Forms. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Ashland University in Ashland will serve as the host of the 2026 State Tournament, to be held Sunday and Monday, May 17-18. With its 2,000 seat Convocation Center and ample residence hall rooms, Ashland University offers the perfect environment for Power of the Pen events. Latest Updates! Click on the flyer below for our most recent State reminder/update! (as of 03/10/26)
Previous Flyers: |
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Self-Pay for Rooms & Meal Packages *Website opens March 15 and closes May 3* This is a 'self-pay' option for parents, chaperones, runners, etc. planning to stay in the residence halls during the 2026 State Tournament, or for those interested in additional meal packages. Residence hall keys and meal tickets will be distributed at registration check-in during the State Tournament.
Click on the images to the right to visit our 2026 State Rooms and Meals Google Site |
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State Tournament Schedule Click here for the 2026 State Tournament Schedule! Keep in mind that there will be adjustments to the schedule. Parents should contact their child's coach for more information; participation in the state tournament is coordinated through the coach. All participants are welcome to attend the Sunday activities: a creative writing workshop at 4:00 p.m. and again at 5:15 p.m., as well as a dance from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. It is not necessary to sign up, although each team's students must be accompanied by a chaperone for all activities. Download the campus map to see where activities take place. Alternatively, download this map with directions for arriving to Ashland University.
| Notes and Reminders Thank you to all who have registered for the 2026 State Tournament. We're looking forward to seeing you at Ashland University! A few reminders:
No refunds are issued after April 20, 2026. A fee of $75 will be charged for each contestant drop and $100 for each judge drop after April 2o. This includes drops at the state tournament. Tabroom Volunteers NeededAdults are needed to serve in the tabroom on Monday, May 18. Volunteers report to the tabroom at 10:00 a.m. and may serve any hours until about 3:30 p.m. Volunteers are especially needed after noon. Sign up using the Tabroom Volunteer Form. Email cheryl.bledsoe@powerofthepen.org with questions about the tabroom. |
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Student Volunteer RunnersWe appreciate all of the student runners who have volunteered for the tournament! Coaches, please remember to bring only writers and runners that you have registered for the tournament. Other students are not permitted to attend the tournament unless they are with their parents the entire time. Runners are required to attend either the orientation session at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday or the orientation at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. Outside of these times, runners are free to participate in state tournament activities. There is no fee for runners other than costs for any required residence hall rooms and meals. All runners must have completed the 2026 Runner's Commitment Contract in order to serve in this role. Coaches, please complete the 2026 State Tournament Volunteer Runners Google form by April 25th! Please contact darcy.leis@powerofthepen.org with questions. |
Lindsay lives in a tiny apartment in Ohio where there are too many books, just the right amount of pet hair, and never enough house plants. She has a Bachelor’s in psychology and enjoys creating videos for her YouTube channel where she shares her publication journey and helps other writers along their own. About Lindsay’s novel, The Glass Witch, A Snicker of Magic meets Hocus Pocus with a touch of Dumplin’ for middle-grade readers in this fast-paced, whimsical fantasy. Perfect for fans of Ghost Squad and Witch Boy. Her latest novel, The Odds, is a whimsical exploration of disability that is equal parts Scooby-Doo and A Series of Unfortunate Events. As a storyteller, author, and creator, Lindsay will share her experience and excitement with young Power of the Pen writers one-on-one at book signings and during her keynote presentation. Lindsay takes students through the process of how a book becomes a published novel, while teaching the importance of personal perseverance through adversity, based on Lindsay’s own experiences. Learn more about Lindsay Puckett on the following platforms: YouTube: Lindsay Puckett Instagram: lindsayjmp Twitter: puckett_lindsay Website: authorlindsaypuckett.com |
Lindsay Puckett, author and Power of the Pen alum, will join as our Guest Author at the 2026 State Tournament!
Power of the Pen |
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