Schedule David to Speak

Talks include:

Spies and Lies: Inside the Real CIA

David takes you on a journey inside the secret world of the CIA, cutting through media headlines and Hollywood depictions to bring the realities of the espionage business to life. In this engaging, humorous talk - full of real-life tradecraft and stories from his time at Langley - David explains what the CIA actually does, what it's like to work there, and lays out the major challenges facing the spy agency in the 21st century. 

How to think about the world like a CIA officer

Drawing on his experience as a former CIA analyst, David unpacks the major geopolitical trends shaping the globe and explains what they mean for all of us From instability in the Middle East to the strategic competition with China and the geopolitical implications of AI advances, David offers a framework for thinking about the world to help leaders cut through the noise, politics, and short-termism of the news cycle so they can focus on what really matters.

Declassified: The Secrets of Storytelling

In his roles as CIA analyst, management consultant, and now a writer of acclaimed spy fiction, David has written stories for audiences as varied as Presidents, foreign royalty, Fortune 500 CEOs, and everyday readers. In this engaging, humorous talk and hands-on workshop, David explains how the timeless principles of great storytelling can improve our communication skills, make us more persuasive, and aid in better decision making, both at work and at home.

For speaking inquiries, please reach out to GDP Speakers or contact David directly below.

In the news

  • "Two Santas, a rare watch and a break-in gone bad - a new fiction written exclusively for the FT by CIA officer turned bestselling author David McCloskey."

    Read

  • "NPR's Mary Louise Kelley talks with David McCloskey, whose new spy versus spy novel Moscow X is about a CIA officer scheming to recruit a Russian intelligence officer - and visa versa."

    Listen

  • "Of the contemporary heirs to Fleming, David McCloskey is the most readable and exciting. A former cia analyst, Mr McCloskey writes novels that bristle with tradecraft and gadgets."

    Read

Follow @McCloskeyBooks

Friends - the Damascus Station paperback drops tomorrow, 10/25! Available wherever you get your books. I'll also be in conversation with Don Bentley, New York Times bestselling author of Hostile Intent and Tom Clancy's Zero Hour at @interabangbooks
The Damascus Station paperback drops next Tuesday, 10/25. To mark the launch I'll be in conversation with Don Bentley, New York Times bestselling author of Hostile Intent and Tom Clancy's Zero Hour at Interabang Books here in Dallas at 6pm. Link bel
Damascus Station is out in paperback in the US on 25 October and on January 26th in the UK! Hard to believe the book is already a year old...
It’s very cool to see copies of your book translated for the international market…here’s Portugal which turned out beautifully thanks to Lua de Papel
Thrilled to be signing copies of Damascus Station for the @poisonedpenbookstore! Go visit this legendary bookseller and pick one up
It is really freaking cool and humbling to see Damascus Station nominated by @internationalthrillerwriters for Best First Novel. Honored to be in such fantastic company.
I know it’s a random milestone, but still pretty cool to see Damascus Station cross the 1,000 rating mark on Amazon (and most of them are also pretty good!) Thanks to all of the readers and supporters who made this possible. Very humbled and gr
I had a lot of fun joining the @SecretsAndSpies podcast to talk all things spy fiction, Damascus Station, and, of course, the fabled Langley hot dog machine. Give it a listen here: https://pod.fo/e/10636f