Hello,

My name is Z Altug. When I’m not writing, I work as a licensed physical therapist at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.  I have been at UCLA since 1997. I also work as a fitness consultant. Please see my resume for my professional background.

I coauthored two published nonfiction books, The Anti-Aging Fitness Prescription (Hatherleigh Press, 2006) and Manual of Clinical Exercise Testing, Prescription and Rehabilitation (Appleton & Lange, 1993). For further information about the anti-aging fitness book, see www.antiagingfitnessrx.com. You may also view some of my other published articles and columns.

I just finished a children’s fantasy novel with my coauthor Tracy Olgeaty Gensler. She is a registered dietitian and health writer who published the book Probiotic and Prebiotic Recipes for Health (Fair Winds Press, 2008). Take a sneak peek at our fun children’s project called Acacia Spence and the Ice Castle of Fire. Our story targets middle school-aged children and has a multicultural cast of characters. The story takes place on the seven continents and has wizards, pirates, dinosaurs, and volcanoes.  That’s all we’ll say for now.

I also like working on creative and futuristic ideas. Check out my six entries into the 2008 Create the Future Design Contest presented by NASA Tech Briefs (a design engineering magazine) and other sponsors.

Finally, take a look at some interesting writing and health resources.

Thanks for visiting. Wishing you good health and happiness.

Z