Wine & Words: An Evening at the Museum with Author Jill Fordyce

An Evening with Jill Fordyce — Belonging Comes Home
Thursday, November 13, 2025 · 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Kern County Museum · Standard School Building

Tickets: $50

On November 13, the Kern Literacy Council invites you to step into a very special evening of literature and community at the Kern County Museum. Inside the beautifully preserved Standard School building, guests will be transported back in time to one of Kern County’s most historic classrooms, now transformed into a warm and intimate setting for storytelling, conversation, and connection.

This memorable evening will feature Bakersfield native and author Jill Fordyce, whose acclaimed debut novel Belonging has been praised for its lyrical prose and heartfelt themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. For Jill, who grew up in Kern County, returning home to share her first novel makes this evening especially meaningful.

Guests will enjoy appetizers and drinks as they settle into the historic space, before hearing Jill read from Belonging and talk about her journey as a writer — from her childhood in Bakersfield to the publication of her first novel. Following her presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to engage in a lively question-and-answer session, exploring both the book’s themes and the creative process behind it.

The evening doesn’t end there. Guests are invited to meet Jill personally, purchase additional copies of Belonging, have their books signed, and even capture the moment with a photo alongside the author. With wine in hand, light bites, and conversation flowing, the Standard School becomes more than a venue — it becomes a gathering place where literature, history, and community meet.

Tickets are $50 and include appetizers, drinks, and one signed copy of Belonging. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the program beginning at 6:00 PM. Proceeds from the evening directly support the work of the Kern Literacy Council, which has provided free tutoring and literacy programs across Kern County since 1966.

Don’t miss this chance to spend an evening with a hometown author in one of Bakersfield’s most historic settings. Space is limited, and this is sure to be a night to remember.

Reserve your ticket today and be part of an evening where stories come to life.

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Host or Publisher Kern Literacy Council