A literary agency is a business that represents writers and their works to publishers. Agents at these agencies help authors navigate the publishing process, negotiate contracts, and promote their books. They often have strong relationships with editors and publishers, which can increase the chances of a manuscript being accepted. Literary agents also provide valuable feedback to authors, helping them improve their manuscripts before submission. They may specialize in specific genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, or children's literature, allowing them to better match authors with suitable publishers. Overall, literary agencies play a crucial role in the publishing industry.