Today, we spotlight Super Agent, Stacey Graham, of 3Seas Literary. She’s smart, kind, and funny! (She’s also my agent.) Stacey’s also an author, and she brings that experience to support her clients through the many ups and downs of writing and publishing. Take a look and see if she might be a perfect fit for you and your manuscript.
Please tell us about your path to becoming an agent.
I backed into a writing career on a whim and agenting even more so. My fifth child was two years old (so plenty of me time on my hands) and wandered into the Absolute Write forums where I befriended a large group of people who taught me about writing, getting published, and were—and still are—a huge support system. A few years later, I had four book deals in two years and decided that writing was more exhausting than raising five children—though looking back, it could have been a combination of the two. I floated the idea of becoming an agent to my agent because I wanted to learn more about the business and she hired me immediately before I could back out.
How does being a writer influence your job as an agent?
As a traditionally published author, I hope to give my clients perspective on both sides of the business. As a writer, I’m there to help editorially and discuss ideas and as an agent, I guide them through contracts, marketing, future projects, give advice on opportunities, send encouragement, and a lot more. By having been on both sides, I see the struggle and the reward and know what it’s like when a project you love doesn’t connect with editors in the way you had worked toward or get even more excited when a deal is offered.
What is your least favorite part of your job as an agent?
Turning down amazing projects because I know I’m not the right agent to represent it. I always want what’s best for the writer and their career, and sometimes another agent with more experience in that area would make a better partner.
What is your favorite part of your job as an agent?
Helping a writer be happy with where they are in the process toward publication; sharing an offer with a client; seeing their book on billboards in New York City. (All of which has happened.)
What do you love about MG novels?
Curiosity drives the novels—the characters want to know why and they’ll do anything to find out. Couple that with the natural humor MG writers bring to their work and I’m sold. That and the fart jokes. What is it with you people and fart jokes?
Did you have a favorite MG novel as a kid?
Anything by Judy Blume.
What are your pet peeves in a query letter?
Not following submission guidelines. A query letter can tell an agent a lot about a writer: if they pay attention to details and how well they’d work with an editor, if the book falls under our representative categories or if a writer is shotgunning a query to anyone on a list they found online, and if the writer has researched the market and has realistic expectations of where their books falls in the mix.
What makes you pass on a submission most often?
Overwriting.
What are your thoughts on the current market for MG books?
I love how fluid the market is. It’s a chance for writers to dig into themes they may not have explored earlier and stretch their imaginations.
Do you have any events coming up?
For 2025, I’m keeping my calendar quiet to concentrate on my amazing (and very busy) clients.
Where can our MUF readers go to find out more about you?
Website: threeseasagency.com
Bluesky: staceyg.bsky.social
Facebook: facebook.com/agentstaceygraham
Instagram: instagram.com/agentstaceygraham
Threads: @agentstaceygraham
Thank you, Stacey! Cheers to a new year and lots of fart jokes!
