Refine your craft as a writer. Take writing classes and join writer’s groups, soliciting feedback on your work from other writers whom you respect and admire. Learn how to both plan and revise your work. As much as possible, develop a solid, respectable body of publication clips with various periodicals.
Learn all that you can in general about the world of book publishing, including major and independent publishers, electronic publishing and self-publishing imprints. Both Writer’s Digest and the Writer’s Market provide print and electronic resources for aspiring authors, including information on literary agents and book publishers.
Promote your own work through a professional website or blog, and learn to use social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to build personal and professional networks in support of your writing.
Grow your professional community by attending conferences, workshops and events that focus on the world of book writing and publishing. Develop strong relationships with other writers as well as with publishing industry professionals.
Research HarperCollins imprints, such as Harper Perennial and HarperCollins Children’s Books, paying attention to the titles published under each imprint. Also, read biographies of, and interviews with, HarperCollins authors available on the company website.
Locate an agent who has experience working with HarperCollins imprints, preferably one who has served as an agent for other HarperCollins authors. Do the work necessary to acquire such an agent who is both experienced and passionate about your work.