After years of quiet writing, the author finally emerged as a notable figure in literature.

emerged 是动词 emerge 的过去式，emerge 由前缀 e-（表示"向外"）和 merge（"合并、融入"）组成，字面意思是"从融入状态中出来"，引申为"浮现、显露、崭露头角"的意思。在这里指作家从默默无闻的状态中脱颖而出。