Classes & Events

Barbara Flores has taught writing through U.C. Berkeley Extension, St Mary’s College in California, and Palm Beach Atlantic University. She is an award winning author and playwright with three nonfiction books, a published memoir, and a soon to be published MG fiction. She received her MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College, Vermont. Barbara lives both in Livermore, CA and Palm Beach, FL.

Fall 2026 classes:

How to Write a Mystery, Session 1

on Zoom

August 20 - September 24, 2026

Every story is a mystery since readers always want to find out something. Whether you want to apply mystery to a novel, a short story, or a prose poem, this popular ZOOM class teaches mystery writing secrets of published authors to turn your prose into page-turners. Fee includes professional editing of your work by the instructor Barbara Flores, an award-winning, five-time author. (Sponsored by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District)

  • August 20 – September 24, 2026
  • 6 Thursday classes, 5-7:30pm (PST)
  • $188 Livermore residents
  • To register: LARPD.org or call 925-373-5700
  • Contact Barbara for more information
  • Offered by Robert Livermore Community Center

How to Write a Mystery, Session 2

on Zoom

October 1 - October 29, 2026

Every story is a mystery since readers always want to find out something. Whether you want to apply mystery to a novel, a short story, or a prose poem, this popular ZOOM class teaches mystery writing secrets of published authors to turn your prose into page-turners. Fee includes professional editing of your work by the instructor Barbara Flores, an award-winning, five-time author. (Sponsored by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District) 

  • October 1 – October 29, 2026
  • 5 Thursday classes, 5-7:30pm (PST)
  • $155 Livermore residents
  • To register: LARPD.org or call 925-373-5700
  • Contact Barbara for more information
  • Offered by Robert Livermore Community Center

Zoom Critique Workshop

(for prior students only)

Nov. 1-Dec. 17, 2026

Early bird fee until 10/26: $180

Contact Barbara for more information

“The best [writing class] I have ever taken. If I had taken it before I went to med school, I may have become a writer instead of a pediatrician.”

“I was so elated when the essay I wrote in Barbara’s class was accepted by Good Housekeeping.”

“Everything you are teaching us is embodied in the pages of your memoir. I am so blessed and honored to be your student.”

“The class was both energizing and motivating.”

“I am a different person because of this class.”

“Barbara always has a million good ideas, and her classes and editing push me to rethink and revise.”

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