A novel which is defamatory was published in 2005 and is still in publication. This novel claims not to represent any person in particular but I and others are easily identified by name, profession and locality. It refers to matters which were at one time in the public eye and are still widley circulated on the internet. The book published contains claims which had nothing to do with the proceedings being mentioned in the publication. The fact that it claims to be a novel is we believe irrelevant.
you can represent yourself, and must in most small claims courts in the US. defamation is different in the UK and US, but an absolute defensive is having told the truth. many times just giving an opinion is not defamation.