Michelle Grajkowski is an independent literary agent with a clear appetite for emotionally resonant commercial fiction — especially romance in all its flavors — alongside select YA and nonfiction that challenges readers to think differently.
In brief
Romance is Michelle Grajkowski's undisputed home base: romcoms, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and cozies all appear explicitly in their most recent public outreach, signaling broad enthusiasm across the genre's subgenres.
Their interest in 'something new but different' in romance suggests they are not just looking for category staples — a fresh hook or an unexpected structural twist may be as important as genre fit.
YA and self-help round out the list, but both come with a high bar: Grajkowski wants material that genuinely shifts how they think, not competent executions of familiar ideas.
Operating independently, Grajkowski is not affiliated with a large agency infrastructure, which means a more direct client-agent relationship but also fewer publicly visible recent deal records to draw on.
Because a confirmed submission form or live query-status page has not been verified, writers must check the current query status directly before submitting — do not assume open.
Lately
In a February 2025 post, Grajkowski expressed enthusiasm for connecting with writers and named specific categories they are eager to find: romcoms, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and work that brings something genuinely new to romance; cozies also made the list, as did YA and self-help that reframe how the reader thinks. The tone was warm and forward-looking.
What MichelleGrajkowski is looking for
Grajkowski specifically called out romcoms in their most recent public note, and the enthusiastic tone suggests genuine, not obligatory, interest. Lean into voice, wit, and emotional payoff — this is a category they clearly enjoy championing.
Paranormal romance is named as a priority, which fits a broader pattern of enthusiasm for genre-blended romance. The emphasis on 'something new but different' applies here too — familiar tropes need a distinctive angle to stand out.
Suspense-threaded romance is an explicit area of interest. Stories that balance genuine tension with romantic payoff — rather than treating one element as an afterthought — will likely resonate most.
Cozies appear on Grajkowski's current wishlist alongside the romance categories, suggesting openness to charming, lower-stakes mysteries. The adjacent appeal to a romance-focused readership makes this a natural fit.
YA is welcome, but Grajkowski sets a clear bar: they want work that makes them think in a genuinely new way. Competent or trend-driven YA is unlikely to excite them; original premise and a distinctive voice are essential.
Self-help nonfiction is on the table, but only if it offers a fresh framework or perspective that shifts the reader's thinking. Grajkowski is not looking for another iteration of established self-help formulas.
Grajkowski explicitly flagged curiosity about romance that defies easy categorization — a fresh subgenre blend, an unconventional structure, or a premise that hasn't been done to death. If your romance resists a tidy genre label and delivers emotionally, this is a strong signal to query.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query MichelleGrajkowski
Lead with subgenre clarity: Grajkowski's wishlist is organized by romance subgenre, so name yours (romcom, paranormal, suspense) in the first sentence of your query — don't bury it.
The phrase 'something new but different' is not decorative. If your romance has an unusual structural hook, a subgenre blend, or a premise that subverts expectations, say so explicitly and early.
For YA and self-help, articulate the specific insight or perspective that makes your project feel genuinely new. A strong 'why this, why now' paragraph will matter more here than in the romance categories.
Cozies query similarly to romance: foreground charm, setting, and the amateur-sleuth dynamic, but also show that you understand the overlap with romance-adjacent readers.
Because Grajkowski is an independent agent, research their current deal activity and client roster before querying — the relationship will be closer and more personal than at a large agency, and demonstrating awareness of their taste signals that you've done your homework.
Always verify query status is open before submitting — the most recent public signal suggests active interest, but no live form status has been confirmed.