News
Defending Democracy Book Group
In March, David started a new book group at his local library premised on non-fiction that addresses the battle between democracy and autocracy. The group has gradually grown, and a new slate of books has been chosen for the coming months:
2025
September: Dark Money by Jane Mayer
October: The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America by David A. Graham
November: Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson
December: Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow
2026
January: No group meeting this month
February: The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
March: Attack From Within: How Disinformation is Destroying America by Barbara McQuade
April: Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal by George Packer
May: Who Is Government: The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis
Does your local library or independent bookstore have a group like this? If not, consider starting one yourself!
Although this happened a few years ago David just discovered this!
In his master class on making documentaries, Ken Burns mentioned The Art of Character as a source for developing even non-fiction characters:
Lesson 9. Shaping Nonfiction Characters—Class Guide: “Read The Art of Character: Creating Memorable Characters for Fiction, Film, and TV by David Corbett. Although authored by a novelist, the lessons and tips in this book are equally applicable to both narrative and documentary film.”
Latest News
2025
June 15
During a recent trip to Norway, David was interviewed by a former student based in Berlin, whose online handle is Madix-3, who’s been running his CritRPG podcast for several years now, focusing mainly on fantasy and sci-fi fiction. Given the otherworldly subtext of David’s latest novel, The Truth Against the World, he seemed a decent fit for the program. They discussed various literary matters, such as the Rule of Cool, writers inspired to emulation, and the liberating power of just saying, "F**k it.” To listen to the interview, go here.
2024
September 24
Bianca Vandenbos of Book Notions interviewed David about his writing and his past life as a private investigator. (Feel free to flip forward to the parts about the Michael Jackson Case and the People’s Temple Trial.)
The full interview can be found here.
September 23
Dp Lyle and Kathie Antrim of Outliers Writing University interviewed David for their Youtube channel and asked him about his tortured childhood, his wayward education, his writing and teaching, and other aspects of his misspent life.
Watch the video here.
May 13
Chicago-based author and blogger G.P. Gottlieb interviewed David for the the New Books Network to discuss his latest novel, The Truth Against the World, which she described as “a brilliant literary fantasy about a divided, dystopian America on the verge of war.”
You can listen to the full interview here.
March 15
David’s short story “Attrition” appeared in the online journal Close to the Bone.
2023
May 16
The Indy Author: What I Learned
The Truth Against the World with David Corbett
Matty Dalrymple interviews David about what he learned in writing his latest novel that could provide lessons both for fellow writers and for readers.
May 28
Writer Unboxed
Take Five: Q&A with David Corbett about The Truth Against the World
Elizabeth Havey poses five key questions to David about his latest novel.
May 30
Authors on the Air
Bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall interviews David for this one-of-a-kind program about books and authors syndicated worldwide.
June 1
Writer Unboxed
How I (Re)discovered my (White, Irish) Roots by Writing my Latest Novel
David explores how his research for The Truth Against the World deepened his understanding of his cultural heritage.
June 1
Jungle Red Writers (Blog)
David will be the guest of Hallie Ephron as they discuss David’s upcoming novel, The Truth Against the World.
June 2
The Story Blender
David discusses his latest novel and storytelling in general with Steven James.