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A Love Affair with the Unknown ~ Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life

An Afternoon with Gillian Deacon:
A Love Affair with the Unknown ~ Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life

Hosted by Lucy van Oldenbarneveld
Sunday, February 1, 2026 — 1:30 pm
Motel Chelsea, 1418 Route 105, Chelsea, QC

“Saying yes to uncertainty. Finding humour, courage and community as we navigate the wild ride of modern life.
This could be a love affair.”
Gillian Deacon
 
Join us on February 1 for a powerful and engaging literary afternoon with Gillian Deacon—journalist, television and radio host and bestselling author—as she launches her brand-new book, A Love Affair with the Unknown, Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life. 
 
In this deeply personal and beautifully crafted work, Deacon reflects on resilience, reinvention, and the unpredictable forces that shape our lives. Her sharp insight, warmth, and candour promise a literary afternoon that is both moving and illuminating. Our host will be Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, award-winning journalist, television host, reporter, and communications specialist, known for her empathy, humour, and ability to bring out the heart of a story. Together, these two exceptional women will explore the themes behind Deacon’s new book, her creative path, and the search for meaning in the face of uncertainty. Expect an intimate, inspiring exchange that lingers long after the event ends.
 
Don’t miss this special opportunity to celebrate the launch of A Love Affair with the Unknown with one of Canada’s most compelling voices.

Photo credit: Peter Andrew Lusztyk

GILLIAN DEACON

GILL DEACON is a veteran journalist and broadcaster based in Toronto. Her voice is familiar to listeners of CBC radio, NPR, Public Radio International and Sirius XM. Gill has hosted television shows for CBC, Discovery Channel Canada, and Discovery Science Channel U.S. She has interviewed heads of state, Oscar winners, Olympians, rock stars, titans of industry, Pulitzer Prize winning authors, and everyone in between.

Gill’s first book, Green For Life, was a national bestseller and spawned a column in Chatelaine magazine. Her follow-up book There’s Lead In Your Lipstick: Toxins in Our Everyday Bodycare and How To Avoid Them was an instant national bestseller and translated into several languages. Her memoir Naked Imperfection earned praise for its candour and humour chronicling Gill’s first experience with breast cancer. Gill’s writing has appeared in many national publications including the Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Elle, Today’s Parent, The Montreal Gazette and CBC.ca.

Gill is a past director of Writers Trust, Eco-Justice, WWF, and Evergreen Foundation.

LUCY VAN OLDENBARNEVELD

Communications advisor, actor, writer and media veteran, LUCY VAN OLDENBARNEVELD’s early career including reporting for Deutsche Welle in Germany and CBC Whitehorse. For the past 20 years Lucy’s main pursuit has been journalism. First as a CBC radio host and then as the evening news anchor on CBC TV in Ottawa. Her work was recognized with a Canadian Screen Award win in 2020, numerous Gemini nominations and the Gold World Medal for Best Talk/Interview program at the New York festival.

Lucy has been recognized many times for anchoring breaking news and crises, including during 9/11, an active shooter on Parliament Hill, and weeks of live coverage during COVID-19. She helped CBC navigate the controversial decision to suspend local TV coverage during the early days of the pandemic.

In her new role with Lucy van Oldenbarneveld Communications, she advises on the media landscape, helping others deliver clear, concise messages as a media trainer. She lives in Ottawa.

Jim Sherman of Perfect Books Ottawa offers an excellent selection of books by 2026 Writers Fête authors. Meet the authors and have your books signed!

$18.00 Purchase Now

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Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
General Admission
$18.00
Quantity: 0
Total: $0.00

A Love Affair with the Unknown ~ Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life

An Afternoon with Gillian Deacon:
A Love Affair with the Unknown ~ Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life

Hosted by Lucy van Oldenbarneveld
Sunday, February 1, 2026 — 1:30 pm
Motel Chelsea, 1418 Route 105, Chelsea, QC

“Saying yes to uncertainty. Finding humour, courage and community as we navigate the wild ride of modern life.
This could be a love affair.”
Gillian Deacon
 
Join us on February 1 for a powerful and engaging literary afternoon with Gillian Deacon—journalist, television and radio host and bestselling author—as she launches her brand-new book, A Love Affair with the Unknown, Leaning Into the Uncertainty of Modern Life. 
 
In this deeply personal and beautifully crafted work, Deacon reflects on resilience, reinvention, and the unpredictable forces that shape our lives. Her sharp insight, warmth, and candour promise a literary afternoon that is both moving and illuminating. Our host will be Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, award-winning journalist, television host, reporter, and communications specialist, known for her empathy, humour, and ability to bring out the heart of a story. Together, these two exceptional women will explore the themes behind Deacon’s new book, her creative path, and the search for meaning in the face of uncertainty. Expect an intimate, inspiring exchange that lingers long after the event ends.
 
Don’t miss this special opportunity to celebrate the launch of A Love Affair with the Unknown with one of Canada’s most compelling voices.

Photo credit: Peter Andrew Lusztyk

GILLIAN DEACON

GILL DEACON is a veteran journalist and broadcaster based in Toronto. Her voice is familiar to listeners of CBC radio, NPR, Public Radio International and Sirius XM. Gill has hosted television shows for CBC, Discovery Channel Canada, and Discovery Science Channel U.S. She has interviewed heads of state, Oscar winners, Olympians, rock stars, titans of industry, Pulitzer Prize winning authors, and everyone in between.

Gill’s first book, Green For Life, was a national bestseller and spawned a column in Chatelaine magazine. Her follow-up book There’s Lead In Your Lipstick: Toxins in Our Everyday Bodycare and How To Avoid Them was an instant national bestseller and translated into several languages. Her memoir Naked Imperfection earned praise for its candour and humour chronicling Gill’s first experience with breast cancer. Gill’s writing has appeared in many national publications including the Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Elle, Today’s Parent, The Montreal Gazette and CBC.ca.

Gill is a past director of Writers Trust, Eco-Justice, WWF, and Evergreen Foundation.

LUCY VAN OLDENBARNEVELD

Communications advisor, actor, writer and media veteran, LUCY VAN OLDENBARNEVELD’s early career including reporting for Deutsche Welle in Germany and CBC Whitehorse. For the past 20 years Lucy’s main pursuit has been journalism. First as a CBC radio host and then as the evening news anchor on CBC TV in Ottawa. Her work was recognized with a Canadian Screen Award win in 2020, numerous Gemini nominations and the Gold World Medal for Best Talk/Interview program at the New York festival.

Lucy has been recognized many times for anchoring breaking news and crises, including during 9/11, an active shooter on Parliament Hill, and weeks of live coverage during COVID-19. She helped CBC navigate the controversial decision to suspend local TV coverage during the early days of the pandemic.

In her new role with Lucy van Oldenbarneveld Communications, she advises on the media landscape, helping others deliver clear, concise messages as a media trainer. She lives in Ottawa.

Jim Sherman of Perfect Books Ottawa offers an excellent selection of books by 2026 Writers Fête authors. Meet the authors and have your books signed!

$18.00 Purchase Now - 72 Places Left