April Eberhardt, a literary change agent and advocate, is passionate about helping authors be published in the most effective and satisfying way. After 25 years as a corporate strategist and management consultant, April joined the literary world, where she saw strategic opportunity to play a role in the changing world of publishing.



April advises and assists authors as they choose the best pathway to publication for their work, be it indie or traditional, digital or print. She provides advice and guidance to authors who wish to explore non-traditional paths to publication, including hybrid publishing. If you have questions about how to publish your work most effectively, including which path might be most profitable and satisfying, please email.

April serves as a consultant to new publishing startups, and serves on the Advisory Council for The American Library in Paris.

Each summer April Eberhardt offers writers' retreats at a private chateau in Chateau-du-Loir, France for small groups of carefully selected authors.

You can learn more about it here.

We currently are accepting applications for Summer 2026.

Picture of large french countryside estate

  • “La Poterie is more than a writing workshop. It is a creative community of generous fellow writers and insightful leaders. I went to improve my writing skills; I left with new writing friends and a plan for how to finish my novel.”

    Deborah B

  • "La Poterie Writers' Workshop is a unique experience that offers one-on-one development for writers and fosters lifelong bonds and friendships as well. For any writer considering traveling to a large conference, I highly recommend they consider this smaller, more intimate gathering instead. La Poterie offers all the benefits of a conference--craft classes, networking, information about the industry--paired with individual attention you can't get from a crowd. And all while staying in a gorgeous French chateau! The writing life doesn't get much better than La Poterie."

    Manda P.

  • "I wanted to attend La Poterie Writers Conference because of April Eberhardt and Kristen Harnisch whom I had met during their presentation at the New York Writer’s Digest Conference in 2015. To have my work read and critiqued by these experienced mavens while in a Chateau in the Pays de la Loire region of France seemed like an opportunity I shouldn’t pass up. (After all, writing is a dirty job and someone’s got to go to France to do it.) I submitted my application, was thrilled to be accepted and looked forward to having a pleasant experience. But, my time at La Poterie surpassed everything I had hoped for."

    Eleanor D.

  • "I absolutely loved the retreat and wish I could go again this year. April and Kristen are fabulous!! The setting was wonderful, with the beautiful chateau and grounds and Cynthia, the host, could not be more charming. We were certainly well fed! There were so many highlights, including the workshopping of my manuscript with both April and Kristen before, and the other writers’ careful and thoughtful feedback. The careful attention given to ensure a “safe” environment and to foster a coherence among the group was terrific. The brainstorming around the possibilities of my project was so very helpful (and validating). And the opportunity throughout the week to continue to receive additional thoughts/feedback from everyone deepened the experience. We all had a wonderful time and we still keep in touch as friends and supporters of each other’s work. If you have the opportunity to attend this retreat I wouldn’t miss it."

    Debbie A.