I am trying something new - or at least very new to me.

One of the problems in writing a four book epic fantasy series is the frustration of readers who want to read the entire series during the time the later books of the series are actually being written.

A partial solution is to make each book a story in itself. I have attempted to do this in The Snowmelt River, The Tower of Bones, and The Sword of Feimhin. But the deeper theme - the ongoing struggle against the forces of darkness - remains central to the whole series. Book 3, The Sword of Feimhin, is completed and available for pre-order. But, in part because the publisher thinks it a major new step in the series, the release date has been put back six months.

I had been anticipating release in January/February and had been working towards this in my mind, and here on Goodreads and also on Twitter. But publication will now be in August/ September 2014.

So I had an idea.

What if, say, during the Harry Potter series, or Game of Thrones, readers had been allowed to make contact with key players in the drama? Although somewhat surreal, they could nevertheless ask questions and clarify things that might have puzzled them at the end of the various books in the series.

I have attempted, however imperfectly, to do this by creating Twitter accounts for Alan, Kate, Mark and Mo. These accounts are as follows:

.AlanDuval2

.KateShaunessy

.MarkGrimstone

.MoGrimstone

I have no idea if this idea will work, but Alan, Kate, Mark and Mo are already gathering personal followings. The idea is obviously directed at readers who might want to make contact with a favourite character and obtain answers to questions that might have arisen in their reading, and enjoyment, of the books.

I am open to constructive comments from anybody who cares to make them.