Raised in southern Nevada, Barber has lived and worked in Minnesota, Vermont (teaching in the Vermont College M.F.A.Writing Program), Colorado, and now Utah.
San Jose State College (before it became a university) and completed a degree in music with a piano emphasis and a minor in political science. Received an MFA in Writing Degree at Vermont College in 1984.
Has served as a panelist choosing literary fellowships for the National Endowment for the Arts