A Vietnam War veteran, Barry Klemm served in Phouc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Klemm's first adult novel, Running Dogs (2000) draws on the author's own experience as a member of 11 Platoon which was present in Phouc Tuy during a peak period of conflict.
Before concentrating on writing, Klemm worked in a wide array of occupations including that of insurance clerk, stage hand, postman, taxi driver, tennis club manager and crane operator. In many cases, the author's varied working life contributed background to the creation of his novels.
During the 1990s, Klemm wrote a series of radio dramas that were broadcast on Radio National. He has also written scripts for film and television.