man of letters; writer; literary figure
Refers to a person who creates literary works, often with a somewhat formal or cultured tone. Can encompass novelists, poets, critics, and essayists.
He is known as a prominent literary figure.
At the gathering of literary figures, they discussed the new novel.
文学者 often refers to a scholar or researcher of literature, whereas 文芸家 is more about a practitioner or creator of literary works.
Compound of 文芸 (literary arts) and 家 (person, specialist). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows a common pattern for naming professionals in a field.