How do I hand over my bookstore’s author contacts and local publisher relationships?

Start by listing the people who matter: local authors, regional sales contacts, event partners and anyone who sends you early copies or offers special terms. For each, write what the relationship has produced, what they expect, and anything promised but not yet delivered.

Then plan the introductions. A personal note from you, followed by a meeting or call with the new owner, carries far more weight than an email announcement. Explain why the shop is in good hands and what will stay the same. If you run signings or reading nights, hand over the calendar and the lists of people who attend. Keeping a tidy record of past events makes it easier for the new owner to pick up where you stopped.

Pass on the working details too: how orders are placed, who handles returns, which authors prefer which kinds of events, and the habits that make each contact easy to work with. These small things are what keep a relationship warm. Finally, stay available for a defined period. A buyer who can call you when a question comes up will settle faster. Be clear with contacts about when you step away, so no one is left wondering. Ask your lawyer how any ongoing role should be written down.

Key takeaways

• Record each contact’s history, promises and preferences.
• Introduce your successor personally, not only by announcement.
• Stay reachable for a defined period after the handover.