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'When I got a two-book deal at 25, I believed that my best work was still ahead of me. But authors only get one chance to be marketed as an ‘exciting new voice’—what happens when you’re no longer the next big thing?' (Introduction)
'Starting my dream job in my thirties, I was insecure about being surrounded by people younger than me. Seeing an opportunity to rebrand, I took inspiration from TV and lied about my age.' (Introduction)
'Ballet studios are traditionally the realm of thinness, youth and perfection—not places where people like me have typically felt comfortable. But in my 30s, I found a class that prizes the joy of movement over punishment and body shaming.' (Introduction)
'Several recent books examine social mobility in Australia, but run into the same issues as broader discussions of class: a focus on dated signifiers like accents and taste, as opposed to the more complex realities of deepening economic inequality.' (Introduction)
'In the arts, where dreams infinitely outnumber actual successes, self-delusion is called ‘believing in yourself’. As I navigate the deeply misogynistic entertainment industry, denying reality feels like a necessity but also a curse.'