So, You Want to Work with Books....

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Camilla Ochlan, Author: Owner of a precariously untamed imagination and a scuffed set of polyhedral dice (which have gotten her in trouble more than once), Camilla writes fantasy and science fiction. Separate from Of Cats and Dragons, Camilla has written urban fantasy, historical fantasy and, in collaboration with her husband, written and produced a number of short films and audio dramas, including the suburban ghost story Dog Breath, 20/20, Hindsight and Road to Predation.

An unapologetic dog lover and cat servant, Camilla lives in Los Angeles with her husband - actor, narrator, and producer P.J. Ochlan - and a pack of sweet rescue dogs and cats.

P.J. Ochlan, Audiobook Narrator: Award-winning actor, producer, and coach, P.J. Ochlan, has been working in the entertainment industry for nearly 40 years. His diverse career has included Broadway, the NY Shakespeare Festival, critically acclaimed feature films, and numerous television guest star and series regular roles. Along the way he's worked with countless icons including Jodie Foster, Clint Eastwood, Robin Williams, and Al Pacino. He recently appeared on Young Sheldon as Rene Descartes.

P.J. is best known behind the microphone as a widely acclaimed and record-setting audiobook narrator of more than 600 titles. His work has been recognized with multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, Voice Arts Awards, and the Odyssey Award. With his company, Lepton Productions, P.J. has directed several award-winning films, and he produces hundreds of audiobooks each year for the industry's top publishers.

P.J. is also one of the industry's leading dialect and performance coaches. He is the founder of Dr. Dialect (www.drdialect.com), co-founder of the Deyan Institute of Voice Artistry in Los Angeles, and teaches from coast to coast at conferences and universities. And P.J. is the official dialect coach for Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so he's one of the only people on the planet who actually teaches at Hogwarts.P.J. lives in Los Angeles with his wife, author Camilla Ochlan, and their pack of rescue dogs and cats.

Desiree Sayarath, Bookseller & Bookstore Owner: Desiree is Lao-Chinese American and lives in Pasadena with her husband, two boys, and doggie. As a long-time reader and boba lover, in 2024 she decided to take the leap and left her full-time job to open her own indie book and boba shop, DYM Book and Boba Shop in Pasadena. Desiree lovingly curates her selection and menu with a sense of diversity and internationalism. She hopes to bridge cultural differences by uplifting underrepresented authors, stories, and flavors.

Deb Takahashi, Librarian: Deborah K. Takahashi is a librarian specializing in Youth Services. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Education from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and her Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. Since 2005, she has worked with teens in libraries and is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Deborah is the current Teen Librarian at Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and is also the author of Serving Teens with Mental Illness in the Library: A Practical Guide. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is a proud mother of four beautiful cats and a devoted fan of Hello Kitty.

Andrew Fung Yip: Andrew is the co-founder of Matilija Lending Library and Bookstore, a community space in El Monte dedicated to uplifting stories by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the San Gabriel Valley. A lifelong SGV resident, Andrew helped start the library with his partner, Amy J. Wong, to create a space where people can connect through books, art, history, and shared experiences.