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Laura Durnell ♿️ ♀️'s avatar

Aimee, Thank you for doing this. Years ago a professional actor friend of mine encouraged me to take Bob McKeesport Story seminar. I wanted to but couldn't afford the tuition, plane fare, or hotel cost. I was so glad when his book was published. I purchased it but never fully read it because events in my life caused immense work and stress. No surprise my therapist diagnosed me with burnout last month. I am now recovering from it.

I began working on my first novel over ten years when more chaos, problems and stress entered my life. I want to return to revising my opening chapters for not just the reasons you mentioned but also to apply for a state art fellowship that looks like will be unattainable now.

I do want to sign up for your extra MFA Loreate option after my opening chapters are revised. This summer I am working. My husband and I will have more financial stability than we have had in 15 years. I will stay in touch.

Aimee Liu's avatar

Laura, you'll be most welcome whenever you have the mental space and time. I do think literary writing requires a special zone of focus. Even if only for an hour a day, you have to be able to push everything else aside. I find it harder than ever these days -- for obvious reasons. But it can also serve as a mental refuge..

If price is an obstacle for Take 5, let me know. Substack isn't set up for Founding discounts, but we can make it work.

Laurel ollstein's avatar

I have a completed draft of a memoir that I have worked on for YEARS, and I was looking for a good fresh take on why I wasn’t getting enough of a response from agents - I got that and more. Aimee’s feedback was incredibly thorough and specific. Amazing what she could deduce from only my first five pages and query letter. Her knowledge of structure and what agents are looking for was very helpful.

Take 5 packet is a deal! Do it. thank you, Aimee. Laurelollstein.com

Aimee Liu's avatar

Huge thanks Laurel! It’s such a privilege and pleasure to work with you 🌟

Susannah Blachly's avatar

Hi Aimee, does the Premium subscription have an automatic renewal or is it just year to year. I've got a lot of subscriptions active so mostly wanted to pay for the Take 5 Feeback. Thanks!

Aimee Liu's avatar

Good question! I think all Substack subs renew automatically. But you can cancel after you get your feedback and then you still have a year of paid access with no auto renew. I just checked to see if I can turn off auto renew on my end but it tells me the only way is to cancel the subscription ☹️

Susannah Blachly's avatar

Great! I would like to sign up. Thanks!

Claudia Presto's avatar

Trying to find link to upgrade

Aimee Liu's avatar

Just hit subscribe and it will show the founding option.

Claudia Presto's avatar

I did that and it said I was subscribed?

Aimee Liu's avatar

Hmm. They may make it more complicated than necessary! But here are the official instructions for upgrading subscriptions:

https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360044105731-How-do-I-change-my-subscription-plan-on-Substack

Aimee Liu's avatar

Weird! If you click the button it should give you an option to upgrade to Premium. No? If not, I'll ask Substack to help.