Its aim is to connect unpublished writers authors with talent-spotting readers. The site will invite authors to submit their profile and upload their manuscripts for the online community to discuss and recommend to other readers.
Victoria Barnsley, HarperCollins' chief executive and publisher, said: "Very often we hear from budding new authors who tell us their script was loved by their family, book group or wide circle of friends.
"Authonomy is an opportunity for these authors to woo a large audience, get an army of support behind them and really test whether their work has got what it takes to make it."
HarperCollins said that the site will be run impartially -- anyone wishing to participate as an author or reader will be able to do so.
Authors works will be voted for on the basis of personal recommendations made by readers. The publisher said that the most popular manuscripts will be considered for publication.
Authonomy will initially be targeted at the UK, but HarperCollins intends to roll it out globally in the future.