George RR Martin is the creative genius/author behind HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones. That entire TV series is based on Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, and for many seasons on HBO the novels served as the show’s source material.
The first of those books, A Game of Thrones, was published back in 1996 and the most recent book, A Dance with Dragons was published in 2011. Fans have EAGERLY been awaiting the 6th novel, The Winds of Winter, and have been demanding updates from George RR Martin anytime he makes a public appearance or puts a blog post up on his website. He did just that on Monday, putting up a blog post about the plight of his beloved NY Giants and how his year’s been off to a shitty start.
Somewhere down in the blog comments somebody demanded an update on The Winds of Winter from George RR Martin, and he obliged them. Here’s the back and forth:
J Snow: As i stated in my last attempt, i respect you immensely and do not want you to rush or release anything untill you are completely satisfied with it.
That being said, it has been a whole year since we have received an updated. You have placated our hunger with another superb sample ch. (the Forsaken), and for that, we are grateful. But unless you want to be bombarded with im’s like this, i would suggest another updated.
Even if its as simple as, ‘not done yet, but ive made progress( or not) ‘, or ‘ it’ll be out this year (or not)’. Anything(or not). Either way, have a great new year, and thank you for, imo, the best fantasy series out there.
To which George RR Martin responded:
You really think statements like that would make a difference? Ah, you sweet summer child. I have years of experience with this that tells me otherwise.
But okay, I will try it your way.
Not done yet, but I’ve made progress. But not as much as I hoped a year ago, when I thought to be done by now.
I think it will be out this year. (But hey, I thought the same thing last year).
It’s not great news but it’s not the end of the world. What’s most disturbing is that The Winds of Winter isn’t even the last book in the series. After this forthcoming book will come the finale, A Dream of Spring, and at this rate George RR Martin might very well be living in a retirement home by the time that book is finished (he’s currently 68 years old but not considered to be the healthiest man alive).
…As an aside, if you haven’t read these books I HIGHLY suggest you do because they’re fan-fucking-tastic, albeit long as hell. You can pick up the full collection on paperback for only $31.47 or you can get the leatherbound collection for just $47.88.
[h/t Esquire]