Who is Mandy Beaumont?
I’m a writer of fiction, a researcher in Feminist fiction, an avid and very opinionated reader, a staunch believer in equality and fairness. I’m also the woman who’s got her debut book out with Hachette in January called Wild, Fearless Chests, and the one who is often called mouthy.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Perhaps work a lot less, (easy to say, hard to do), go to yoga more, be more social (re: work less), travel constantly (re: need more money). I’d also really like to just own a book store in a seaside town and read and recommend books all day, and have a bottle of whisky stashed under the counter.
Who inspires you and why?
Those who speak out about injustice, those who fight for what’s right. Women who speak out, men who support and nurture those women. Those who don’t fit into the mold of what they are told they should be. Those who live passionately, who stay up all night talking about making the world a better place, about ideas that excite.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Gosh, if I had the magic wand, it would be eradicate third world debt and excessive wealth, act on climate change and break down systemic inequality. But… I don’t have the magic wand. What I do have is my voice and with that I will always challenge what isn’t fair or kind, use my vote and my privilege to make the world a better place, and just be a bloody nice person.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I’ve travelled a fair bit and I have to say that as long as there is a good beach, a lounge, a book and some cheap beer, I’m pretty set. Oh, and I really really like New York City!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I’m in inner North Melbourne, so there is much to do, but I think it would have to be the State Library of Victoria – it’s one of the most glorious spaces to be in.
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading Mona Elthaway’s The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls – a ‘feminist manifesto that shows women and girls how to defy, disrupt, and destroy the patriarchy’. I’m also knee deep in Simone de Beauvoir’s fiction (oh the glory), as well as just about to start my favourite Australian author, Andrew McGahan’s final book, The Rich Man’s House.
What are you currently listening to?
Coming into summer in Australia is all about Aussie rock for me. The Cruel Sea, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Dirty Three, You Am I/Tim Rogers, Cold Chisel – ahhhh I am such a lover of Aussie rock. I’m also really into Lizzo, like really into her.
Happiness is?
Hangs with my old dog Shankly, a beer on a summer day, a book and a nap, seeing my love happy when he bakes, movement, freedom, a government that looks after its citizens, the feminist revolution. Cheese. Wine. You know, the simple things.
What does the future hold for you?
It’s going to be a busy year in 2020! My first book, Wild, Fearless Chests is out with Hachette in January, I will be busy working on my PhD and moving away from my day job to focus on writing and academia, which is an exciting and scary thing. But you only live once, so viva la feminist fiction!
Mandy is the Author of Wild, Fearless Chests – which is published by Hachette Australia and available from all leading book retailers including Booktopia.
Image: Mandy Beaumont (supplied)