TFS Students Connect with Authors and Earn National Honors at TomeCon 2026

Addisyn McCoy wasn’t really into reading. That is, until she stumbled across “Girl Stolen” by April Henry. “It was the start of m y reading journey,” she said. “Ever since then, I have read a ton of her books – I have fallen in love with her books, and I realized that there was something to reading – that really changed me. 

Then, she got to meet Henry. I wasn’t that nervous at first, but I stepped up, and I was next in line, and my heart started pounding,” she said. “I have never been so excited in my life. I couldn’t get enough words out at a time; I was just spitting out words. I never dreamed of that possibility.”

But it was a possibility at this year’s TomeCon 2026 

On Tuesday, March 10, members of Tallulah Falls School’s TOME society traveled to the annual TomeCon 2026 event held at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. The event is hosted annually by Tome Society, a nonprofit literacy organization based in Georgia. According to the website, “TomeCon is an exciting day of concurrent sessions based on all facets of literacy for students in grades 2-12. Session topics include reading, writing, technology, engineering, art, music, and more! Authors from across the country visit with and teach students.” 

This year’s conference theme was “Embrace the Journey!” Students attended seminars of their choice with authors, created bookmarks and book art, purchased books, and attended author book signings. Henry was not the only author who was there! Goron Korman, Jennifer Nielsen, April Henry, McCall Hoyle, and many others. And McCoy isn’t the only one with a story. 

Jackson Ledford of Clarkesville had an assignment from his sister: Get her book signed by author McCall Hoyle. Ledford completed the assignment, but ran out of time to get his book signed by Goron Korman. When his mom heard about his fate, she emailed Korman. Within 24 hours, he had responded and plans to send Ledford a signed copy of his book. 

It wasn’t just a day of unforgettable moments; it was a day for winning. Several upper- and middle-school TFS students won awards for projects submitted to the Tome Society Competitions. With over 200 middle schools from several states competing, these awards are now considered national in scope.

Senior Emily Cai of Cleveland placed second in Like, Try, Why and

received a $500 Dale Pratt Memorial Scholarship. Quinlan Flanders of Sautee placed first in Book Trailer, Maeve Hatcher of Sautee placed second in Character to Author Letter, Charlie Harris of Toccoa placed third in Historical Fiction Infographic, Emma Ivester and Catherine Harris both of Toccoa placed first in Library Video, Kaylin Pickett of Demorest placed first in Book Flyer, and Megan Prince of Rabun placed first in Book Review Blog and Third in Connection Video. 

Liam Wright of Clayton placed second in Book Print Video, Kayleigh McEntire of Demorest placed second in Character Yearbook Superlative, Lincoln Penland of Demorest placed third in Book Connections Video, and Evie Purcell of Baldwin placed third in Book Trailer. 

TOME society sponsor and seventh-grade English teacher Kim McClurg loves watching her students share their passion for reading and writing with thousands of other students, teachers, and authors. “I love watching the connections students get to make with authors at TomeCon, and that students get to see these authors as 'real' people," she said. "