I love stories and I love words – always have. Since writing the first Skulduggery Pleasant book, which was published in 2007, right up until the last in the series Dying of the Light, published last month, I’ve had the challenge, the fun and the luxury of creating an entire world, peopled with characters that are as real and beloved to me as some of my weirdest friends and strangest relatives.

You might think that the numerous awards, the opened doors and general adulation would have been the best part of the journey, but you’d be wrong. The thing that has surprised, entertained and delighted me most (and although I’d never confess it, occasionally inspired me) has been the extraordinary community of crazy, awesome, adorable, clever fans that has grown around Skulduggery.

So many young people linked both online and in the real world, who sometimes quite literally cross continents to come to my events and respect each other in a way that’s amazing to see. Their creativity never fails to astonish me – incredible fanfiction and jaw-droppingly great art. I’ve met so many of them over the years, and they are a reward that means more to me than all the prizes (lots) or bestsellers (ahem, lots).

With the series at an end, it feels like a great time to surprise the fans, to give something back to them. I’m a big video gamer, my books are full of film inspiration, and with immersive theatre and events hitting the mainstream… I wanted to open up the world of Skulduggery in a way where fans could enter the story world and have a chance to influence the story too! And so Theatre of Shadows was conceived.

On 27 September 2014, 250 Live Operatives (50 of them will have won their places) will fight evil, a mere stone’s throw from the Dublin Sanctuary, in magical historic locations at the heart of the city where the books are set. Operatives will receive magical training, before being tasked to find hidden sigils, interrogate characters from the world of Skulduggery, discover hidden horrors, and attempt to save their heroes from a fate worse than death.

Meanwhile thousands of Remote Operatives – already registered from over 50 countries – will participate simultaneously in a Theatre of Shadows online Mystery.

There’ll be a brand new short story, written by yours truly, inspired and informed by the day’s happenings. Which means the brave actions of ALL the Operatives – Live and Remote – stand a chance of being officially entered into the Skulduggery history books.

I’m looking forward to hearing the screams…

We will have our spies at the Derek Landy Theatre of Shadows immersive theatre event in Dublin – so watch out for our report coming onto the site asap after 27 September 2014! There is still (just) time to make the live immersive experience in Dublin – and also to join in online skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/theatreofshadows