How can teachers bring out the author (or graphic novelist, filmmaker, songwriter...) in every student? Mentoring Youth Writers outlines six strategies to engage and inspire secondary students and guide them into writing as an authentic and meaningful practice: exploring multimodal forms of writing; inviting choice; building community; honoring student knowledge and experience; nurturing students as writers; and connecting writers to opportunities beyond the classroom. Readers will go inside the Young Authors’ Studio program to see examples of mentoring in action. In addition, experienced teachers discuss how they have used these six strategies with secondary students. Learn why a mentoring stance is needed in education today and how this work aligns with NCTE’s Position Statement on Writing Instruction in School (2022) and other research and theory in English education. Classroom-ready activities are provided to bring ideas to life in schools and community programs. Principles in Practice imprint