A literary agent is a professional who represents writers and their written works to publishers and other potential buyers. They help authors navigate the publishing industry, offering guidance on manuscript preparation, submission processes, and contract negotiations. Literary agents typically work on a commission basis, earning a percentage of the author's earnings from book sales. In addition to finding publishers, literary agents also provide valuable feedback to authors, helping them improve their manuscripts. They often have strong connections within the publishing world, which can increase an author's chances of getting published. Many successful authors, including J.K. Rowling and Stephen King, have benefited from the expertise of literary agents.