Episode 92: On Going from Vet to Author, Australia Living & Writing What You Know with Elizabeth Woolsey, DVM (Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast)

Episode 92: Welcome to the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast! In each episode, you’ll hear inspirational stories from horse book authors, including writing advice and marketing tips to help you write your own horse book. If you are an author, aspire to be an author, or simply love horse books, then you are in the right place!

In this week's episode, you'll meet Equine Veterinarian and Author Elizabeth Woolsey. You'll learn ...

• About Elizabeth's experiences as an equine veterinarian. Over the course of her 35+ year career, she went from her father’s equine practice in Sonoma County, CA to establishing her own practice in Australia. 
  
• What inspired Elizabeth to write fiction and share the stories of what she knows best - equine medicine.
  
• ​And MUCH more!

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Watch Elizabeth Woolsey's Interview on YouTube!

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Or listen to the audio version.

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About Elizabeth Woolsey

Elizabeth Woolsey moved to Australia and practiced equine veterinary medicine for over 35 years. She authored both nonfiction books and professional papers on such topics as the treatment of burns in horses and surgical procedures. Elizabeth published a book about her experiences as a practicing equine vet in Australia. She recently retired and has returned to the US, where she is now publishing fictional stories about veterinarians under Horse Doctor Press.

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Elizabeth Woolsey Interview Excerpt

Carly: Talk to us about how you started with horses and ended up as a veternarian.

Elizabeth: I was born in California in 1950. I thought I was switched at birth and was really the daughter of Roy Rogers. My looks and DNA have sadly dispelled that theory. My father was a vet, and in the last 20 years of his practice he only did horses. I worked for him since I was about fifteen.

I rode ponies which gave me the ability to stick on a tough horse. I graduated to jumpers in my teens and then, after I graduated from vet school in 1984, I concentrated on western riding and packing into the wilderness to fly fish.

After graduating from Auburn University, I joined my father’s equine practice in Sonoma County, CA. I practiced 100% equine medicine until I met an “accent” and followed the accent to Australia. The accent and I had a daughter and had adopted children over the years. The accent and I went our separate ways. I remained in Australia because of the wonderful veterinary practice I had developed in South Australia. I recently retired and I am moving back to the U.S..

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Elizabeth Woolsey and Orbit

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Carly: Talk to us about your writing career and your books.

Elizabeth: I began writing in 2002 and published a book about my life in Australia as a horse vet in 2005. Horse Doctor: An American Vet's Life Down Under was published under my married name Elizabeth Woolsey Herbert. I wrote many professional publications after that.

In 2019, I finished my last journal article about standing surgical colic surgery in ponies and wondered what I would do. I began to write a series of fictional books about a woman vet who time traveled back the mid-1800s. As a vet, she has to deal and work with animals while she tries to find her way home. There are four books in the series.

I then wrote the current book Small Town Secrets. I have just finished another book titled Catch and Release. These all involve horse vets.

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Connect with Elizabeth Woolsey

Website: http://www.elizabethwoolsey.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.woolseydvm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorelizabethwoolsey/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WoolseyWrites
YouTube: Elizabeth Herbert

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Books by Elizabeth Woolsey

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thanks for your help keeping this site running.

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About Your Host and Author Carly Kade

Photo by Shelley Paulson Photography

​Carly Kade is an award-winning author, horse owner, creativity coach, and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast. She helps fellow writers start, grow, and expand their author careers. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle!

Carly's In the Reins equestrian romance book series was written with horse lovers in mind, no matter which discipline they ride. The horses are as vital to moving the story forward as the human characters are.

These books are perfect for poolside reading, taking to the beach, or settling down with after a day of horseback riding.

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