Michelle Grajkowski is a Minnesota-based agent at 3 Seas Literary Agency with a long track record in commercial fiction—particularly romance in all its subgenres—who also champions select nonfiction, children's books, and women's fiction.
In brief
Michelle Grajkowski is one of the more established commercial-fiction agents in the Midwest, with 3 Seas Literary Agency being a boutique shop with real placement power at major publishers.
Romance is the clear center of gravity in their practice—across subgenres from contemporary to paranormal—making this an especially strong query destination for romance writers at any career stage.
The agency's boutique size means Grajkowski tends to work closely with repeat clients, so writers who land representation often stay for multiple books rather than a single deal.
Grajkowski actively represents children's book author-illustrators, but writers-only picture book submissions are explicitly outside their scope—a critical distinction for anyone pitching picture books.
Query status was observed as open in April 2026, but writers should verify the live submission form before sending, as status can change without notice.
Lately
Grajkowski has signaled an ongoing appetite for emotionally driven commercial fiction, especially romance across subgenres, as a consistent priority rather than a passing trend.
What Michelle is looking for
Romance is the cornerstone of Grajkowski's list. All major subgenres are welcome—contemporary, paranormal, historical, romantic suspense, and beyond. Strong voice, emotional depth, and satisfying relationship arcs are the hallmarks of what tends to land here. This is the clearest, strongest fit for querying writers.
Grajkowski actively seeks women's fiction with commercial appeal—stories centered on women's lives, relationships, and personal growth that have broad mainstream readership. Books that blend emotional resonance with an engaging plot tend to perform well on this list.
YA is a welcome category, particularly projects with strong voice and compelling coming-of-age stakes. Commercial YA with crossover potential is a natural fit given the broader list's commercial orientation.
Middle grade fiction is among the categories Grajkowski considers. Projects with distinct voice, adventure, humor, or heart—or some combination—align with the commercial sensibility of the wider list.
Grajkowski works with picture books strictly from author-illustrators—those who both write and provide the artwork. Writers submitting text only without accompanying illustrations should not query in this category. This gate is firm and non-negotiable.
Select nonfiction is on the table, particularly projects with a strong platform, a clear commercial audience, and a compelling hook. The specific nonfiction niches Grajkowski gravitates toward are not broadly publicized, so writers should frame platform and readership clearly in the query.
Not the right fit
On Michelle's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Michelle
Lead with genre and subgenre immediately — Grajkowski's list is genre-forward, and a query that buries the category makes it harder to evaluate fit quickly.
For romance, name the subgenre explicitly (contemporary, paranormal, historical, romantic suspense, etc.) in the first line; don't make them infer it.
If submitting women's fiction, distinguish it clearly from romance — shared emotional stakes aren't the same category, and conflating them signals a writer who hasn't done their research.
Picture book writers without illustration samples should not query in that category at all; doing so signals a misread of the list and wastes a submission opportunity.
Nonfiction writers should front-load platform credentials and articulate the target readership — Grajkowski works in commercial nonfiction, not academic or platform-free projects.
Because 3 Seas is a boutique agency, emphasize your long-term vision for the project (series potential, follow-up books) — repeat client relationships are a feature of how this agency operates.
Follow submission guidelines precisely as posted on the agency website; boutique agencies notice when writers don't read instructions.
Always verify the live query form status immediately before submitting — open/closed status can change without public announcement.