Everyday Heroes… in Writing and Life

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by Michelle Grajkowski
3 Seas Literary Agency

As the Memorial Day weekend filled with warm air and sunshine beckon me from my window, I can’t help but to look outside and to thank God for the blessings that He has given us. My husband and I have a happy home, beautiful children and wonderful careers, both of which help people in very different ways.

My husband is a Major in the Army National Guard. In 2005 he was deployed overseas, leaving me to raise our two young children. He was away from us for a long fifteen months, and to this day I can’t imagine how difficult the deployment must’ve been on him in so many ways. Thankfully he is home with us now, but every day he puts on his uniform and diligently works to bring each of our soldiers back home.

I am so proud to be a military wife. The sacrifices our brave men and women make every day is something that we can never, ever forget. They truly are heroes, each and every one of them! I am so thankful for the work that they do so we can live our lives as our own.

I am equally proud to work in publishing. I am in awe of the power that you, as an author, possess. Your words can fill a lonely spot in someone’s life, can heal a broken heart, can bring joy and laughter into a bleak day. Your words are magical.

In October 2001 I was invited to speak at the Emerald City Conference in Seattle. I was a new agent then, with a brand-spanking new baby boy. My son was born on September 6, 2001, five days before the day that would change our world forever.

On the morning of September 11, my husband had left for work, his first day back on the job since our son was born. My little toddler daughter was playing with her toys, my son sleeping in his newborn bliss. Me? I was sweeping when the phone rang. My Grandma told me to turn on the Today Show. Those images still haunt me today.

A month later I was supposed to board a plane to Seattle for the conference. But, how could I with two babies at home and the terrifying chaos around me? My husband understood how important the conference was, though, so he took vacation time and DROVE me and our two babies across the country to Seattle. Now that’s the stuff heroes are made from!

To this day, I am so ever thankful he did. The luncheon speaker that year made the most memorable speech I’ve ever heard at a conference. She said when writing her speech she was having a very difficult time. That trying to sound positive given the grief that we as a nation were feeling was just not working. That writing just didn’t feel important.

That was, until she started reading her fan mail. One by one, letter after letter, she felt stronger and stronger. Each letter told her how her words touched her readers, and helped them through difficult times. There was not a dry eye in the ballroom. Through these powerful words, a roomful of writers and industry professionals began to heal. We had a job to do. To produce the best possible books we could to help our nation heal.

And, that power lives through each and every one of you every day with every word you write. I am so proud to be a small part in this amazing world. Thank you for sharing your stories. You truly are heroes in my book.


Michelle Grajkowski first opened the doors to the 3 Seas Literary Agency in August of 2000. Since then, she’s successfully sold more than 450 projects into all the major publishing houses. Her clients include New York Times Bestselling Authors Katie MacAlister, Kerrelyn Sparks and C.L. Wilson. Michelle primarily represents romance, women’s fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction. She is currently looking for fantastic writers with a voice of their own.

When not curled up with a great manuscript, Michelle loves to spend time with her husband, children and her two crazy puppies, who refuse to grow up, Libby and Gizmo. Please follow her on Twitter at #threeseaslit, and “Like” the 3 Seas Literary Agency Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Comments 0

  1. Appreciate this post, Michelle. It’s a reminder that our words make a difference in others’ lives — and so often we forget … or else, we never, ever know.

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