Over the years, Barker has contributed regularly to BBC Radio programs on Bob Dylan and has been featured on the BBC World Service, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Northern Ireland, BBC Radio Scotland as well as numerous local radio stations. He has also appeared on the BBC 2 television program 'The Culture Show' and Channel 4s Breakfast News talking about Bob Dylan.  

Derek has also had two books published, the first book, a collection of writings and interviews from the back pages of ISIS. 'ISIS: A Bob Dylan Anthology' (Helter Skelter Publishing, 2001) received almost universal rave reviews. It sold out a hardback edition and two paperback printings. A revised edition of the book (Helter Skelter Publishing 2004) remains in print.

The second collection of writings from ISIS, Bob Dylan Anthology 2 - 20 Years of ISIS, (Chrome Dreams, 2005) is a bumper 368-page book, which was published to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of ISIS magazine, and is also still in print.

Barker has had his writings on Bob Dylan published in journals in England, the USA and Japan. He has worked on three CD projects with his current publisher, Chrome Dreams, writing the liner notes for two of them, and has advised on, and appeared in, the DVD documentary films 'Tales From a Golden Age: Bob Dylan 1941-1966' and 'After The Crash: Bob Dylan 1966-1978'. Barker’s status as an expert on all things Dylan is such that he regularly advises premier auction house Christie’s (both in London and New York) on the authenticity of items of Dylan memorabilia.