How to Register

Registration is open beginning September 1, with an early bird discount through October 15. To register, schools should have a coach and a commitment from the school principal to participate. Get approval from your school for the registration fee, and if your school uses PO numbers, have a PO number for the registration fee ready when you register.

Use the pull-down menu on the Registration tab to choose the level of participation. After December 1, please contact your regional director for assistance before registering. You can find your regional director by checking the map below for your region, then using the "Tournaments" pull-down menu to visit that region's page. 

• If you are last year's main contact person for the team, enter your username and password from the 2020-21 season.
• If you are a new contact person for the team, enter your own email address. A username and password to access your profile and the For Coaches resources will be emailed to you after you register.

Team members' names, up to six team members per grade level, can be filled in later - by December 1 at the latest (November 20 for December tournaments). Judge information must be entered by December 1, as well. District and regional tournaments will be held online in 2021-2022 to help ensure participants' safety during the ongoing pandemic. The state tournament will be held in person if it is safe to do so. If we cannot gather for the state tournament, it will be held online.

Costs

Teams who register early receive a discounted rate. The initial registration at the cost below includes participation in the district tournament, as well as the regional tournament for those who qualify. Visit About Power of the Pen Tournaments to learn more about the tournament levels. The state tournament involves an additional writer fee, as well as costs for meals and lodging.

Early Bird Rate for Registration September 1 Through October 15:

•  $350 for an individual 7th grade or 8th grade team
•  $450 for a team of both 7th and 8th grades

Rate for Registration October 16 Through November 30:

• $400 for an individual 7th grade or 8th grade team
• $500 for a team of both 7th and 8th grades

Rate December 1 and Later (Subject to Availability):

• $450 for an individual 7th or 8th grade team
• $550 for a team of  both 7th and 8th grades

Schools are accepted at each tournament on a first-come, first-served basis, and many of our districts fill up quickly.

A non-competitive participation level is available at a cost of $150 for schools who cannot have a team this year but want to use Power of the Pen materials.

Tournament Dates and Host Schools

Teams are encouraged to sign up for tournaments in the region for their county. Use the Ohio map to find your region name, then choose your region under the pull-down menu in the “Tournaments” tab to see which tournaments have been scheduled in your region. Click on the map for the tournament schedule at a glance. 

Please check both the district and regional dates to make sure that neither conflicts with other school activities. Schools must attend the regional tournament that corresponds to their district site.

Payment Options

If you do not pay by credit card when you register, payment of fees must be mailed by December 1 to:

Power of the Pen
PO Box 2640
North Canton, OH 44720

Make checks payable to: Power of the Pen. Checks must note invoice number and the name of the school.

You may also choose to pay fees online using a credit card.

Initial registration fees must be paid in full by December 1 to avoid a late payment fee of $25.

Services

Tournaments. The 2021-2022 enrollment fee includes participation in a district tournament and, for students who qualify, a regional tournament. The state tournament involves additional costs that will be announced as plans are finalized. 

Book of Winners. Registered schools receive the 2020 Book of Winners when their registration is paid. The Book of Winners contains the best 7th and 8th grade writing from Power of the Pen tournaments across the state, providing wonderful examples of the elements of good writing, well-suited as mentor texts for mini-lessons.

Manuals. Registered schools receive a username and password that allows them to access the Coaches’, Rules, and Fees Manuals for information on forming and practicing with a team, requirements for participation, tournament rules, fees, and more. 

Recruiting Video. In addition, coaches will have access to a video featuring Power of the Pen students to help recruit 7th and 8th graders to Power of the Pen teams.

Professional Development. The “For Coaches” tab includes suggested weekly Power of the Pen meeting topics to help sharpen students’ creative writing skills. The Coaches' Manual contains information on forming and preparing a team, evaluating student writing, and helping young writers hone their craft.

A professional development workshop for coaches was held November 6, 2021, for a nominal fee per participant in cooperation with the National Writing Project at Kent State University.

Non-Competitive Participation Level. Schools that wish to use Power of the Pen materials as classroom instructional aids, but not compete in tournaments, may register at the non-competitive participation level for $150.

Thank You!

We are happy to be able to provide a place for 7th and 8th grade writers to shine, and we are looking forward to a great season!

Email info@powerofthepen.org with questions.