Power of the Pen Creative Writing Program

In this most challenging school year, we’re here for student writers:

“I'm so glad that students have Power of the Pen to turn to during these difficult times. I know our students are super happy to be doing the club, not only because they love writing but because it helps them feel like things are at least a little bit normal.”

~ Amy Merrill-Wyatt, Power of the Pen coach and author of Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen

Empowering Young Writers

Power of the Pen empowers young people to find and develop a creative voice that is uniquely their own. Each season, 7th and 8th grade authors throughout Ohio have the opportunity to showcase their talents in district, regional, and state tournaments. In 2019-2020, nearly 2,700 students competed in 24 tournaments in every corner of the state.

Retooling Because of the Pandemic

Power of the Pen has been hurt financially by the pandemic, yet we continue to offer young writers a home. We’ve retooled our program to hold tournaments online for 2020-2021, with the goal of returning to in-person tournaments as soon as we can safely do so.

Building the Future

Writing builds academic success, confidence, community - and students’ futures. Students who participate in Power of the Pen not only see tremendous growth in their writing ability, but they also gain confidence and leadership skills as they mentor one another. 

Our alumni are successful in careers ranging from biomedical engineering to marketing, as well as writing. Among our alumni are Newbery Honor author Jasmine Warga and television humor writer Sage Boggs. They give credit to Power of the Pen for encouraging them to believe in themselves during their middle school years, when most of us are struggling to figure out who we are and who we want to be. 

“Writing is such a powerful tool, and what better way to develop it than through the amazing PoP experience?!”

~ Evan Peterson, 8th grade writer

For more information visit powerofthepen.org.