Veterinarian and author Dr. Meg Viggers seamlessly blends a career in wildlife health with a passion for storytelling, resulting in novels that explore the intersection of humanity and the natural world. Her writing process is characterized by a willingness to embrace messiness and iteration, allowing ideas to unfold organically before undergoing rigorous refinement.
Writing Process and Published Works
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Viggers describes her creative process as beginning with a “wild and joyful” first draft, where she freely explores tangents and allows the story to develop naturally. This is followed by a period of intensive redrafting and crafting. She acknowledges the challenge of transitioning from the solitary work of writing to the public-facing aspects of being an author, describing publicity as “coming out of a cave.” Her veterinary work provides a crucial connection to the outside world, grounding her and providing a balance to the immersive nature of writing.
To date, Viggers has published five novels: the Stranding (2008), The Lightkeeper’s Wife (2011), The Grass Castle (2014), The Orchardist’s Daughter (2019), and Sidelines (2024). She is currently working on the second draft of her sixth novel, which focuses on the impact of human activity on the oceans.
Balancing Creativity and Life experiences
Recent personal challenges and extensive travel to destinations including Zambia, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, Peru, and Ecuador have influenced Viggers’ writing schedule. Despite these disruptions, she prioritizes experiencing the world, recognizing the importance of hiking and wild places as sources of inspiration for her work.
Viggers actively supports the writing community through her involvement with literary festivals and the Secrets from the Green Room podcast, which she co-hosts. She interviewed authors at the 2025 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in Bali, an experience she described as a “thrill.”
A Career Rooted in wildlife Conservation
Viggers’ career path began with a veterinary degree in 1987, followed by experience in mixed-animal practice and wildlife conservation work at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia. It was at Healesville Sanctuary that she met her future husband while working with leadbeater’s possums. She later moved to Canberra and completed a PhD in wildlife health and parasite ecology, which honed her research skills and opened doors to field work.
throughout her career,Viggers has worked with a diverse range of native Australian species,including squirrel gliders,potoroos,quolls,bandicoots,pygmy possums,kangaroos,and australian fur seals. Her work has also extended to antarctic wildlife, such as crabeater seals, Weddell seals, Adelie penguins, and leopard seals. She continues to maintain a part-time practice in small animal veterinary care.
From Veterinary Science to Novelist
Even though she had a lifelong love of writing, Viggers began her journey as a novelist later in life, after completing her PhD, a post-doctoral position, and starting a family. Recognizing the need to prioritize her literary aspirations, she began writing her first novel, The stranding, in her late thirties while balancing work and motherhood.
her PhD training proved valuable in developing the discipline and critical skills necessary for writing a novel. While facing initial rejections, she persevered and eventually found an agent, leading to the publication of The Stranding in 2008.Her second novel, The Lightkeeper’s Wife, was developed during this period.
Viggers is currently finalizing her next book, with publication anticipated in the coming year.
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