Books for writers about writing allow you to learn from those who have walked the steps you are taking now. Read books on publishing and editing so you are familiar with the industry. Study books about grammar, punctuation, story structure, character and dialogue. Maintain your own style and voice but incorporate the techniques you read about to take you from being a good writer to a great writer.
Read books in your genre. Read the classics such as Jane Austen or Shakespeare. If you write fiction, read authors that mirror the type of story and style you want to represent. If you write poetry, study style and structure and study those who have been successful. Read with a critical eye. It is beneficial to read the book twice -- once to grasp the story and again to analyze the style, structure, characters and content.
We live in a technology driven society. Most communication between book publishers and authors is done online. Read blogs written by agents, editors and publishers. Study the tips, take note of specific requirements and understand what each person is looking for in a book they are willing to represent. These people have been around the industry and offer invaluable advice for your success. Writing is half the battle. Attracting an audience is much more difficult.
Every writer needs a dictionary, thesaurus, rhyming dictionary and workbook. Do not rely solely on your computer to fix your mistakes. Work to develop a strong vocabulary so you can show your audience the action instead of telling them. Study different words so that you have a plethora to choose from as you write. Use a rhyming dictionary to make you writing more musical. Workbooks with writing exercises come in handy when you are stuck or have writer's block.