HarperCollins, the publisher of the books of critically-acclaimed author George R.R. Martin, has quashed the rumors going wild online that “The Winds of Winter,” the sixth book in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy novel series, shall come out in October 2016 in time for the World Fantasy Convention.
Jaki Arthur, head of marketing and communications of HarperCollins Australia, said that speculations have been rife in Australia and across the world that George Martin shall be releasing “The Winds of Winter” at the WorldCon.
He said that they do not know what will happen at the WorldCon but “The Winds of Winter” will not be one of the highlights of the event, notes the Ecumenical News.
But Arthur went on to acknowledge the efforts of Martin in delivering “The Winds of Winter” although he remains mum on the book’s official publication date.
He explained that HarperCollins shall make an immediate announcement regarding the launch of the book once Martin is finished writing all the chapters.
The author was supposed to be a special guest at the upcoming WorldCon but he already pulled out as early as last year to be able to focus on writing and finishing “The Winds of Winter.”
But he will be participating in the MidAmericon II convention in Kansas City slated on August 17 to 21.
An impostor at the ComicCon
Meanwhile, fans are getting agitated that “The Winds of Winter” has yet to come out and most of them are expressing their disgust on the Reddit forum as well as in other social media sites.
Fans of the books have reportedly seen the author during the recent San Diego ComicCon which fueled their excitement because it was a sign that a significant update is going to be announced during the event.
Unfortunately, it was not Martin whom the fans saw at the San Diego ComicCon but a cosplayer dressed as the author.
Martin said in his blog that it is not him whom fans saw at the annual gathering and described his ‘impostor’ as some other old fat guy in a Greek’s sailor’s cap and pair of suspenders who may or may not be consciously cosplaying as him.
He also said that he does not disapprove of fans cosplaying to be him for as long as they don’t pretend to be him.
Offended by rumors
People can call him a slow writer or whatever else they want, but they certainly cannot say that critically-acclaimed author George R.R. Martin will renege on his promise and cut short his seven-book fantasy novel series “A Song of Ice and Fire.”
Reports have it that George Martin was offended with rumors that his upcoming sixth book “The Winds of Winter” would serve as the last for his popular fantasy novel series.
On the contrary, Martin said that there is no truth to the rumors and that “The Winds of Winter” is going to be the last for the fantasy novel series as there is going to be a seventh and final book entitled “A Dream of Spring.”
The speculations about “The Winds of Winter” becoming the last for the fantasy novel series emanated after the Season 6 finale of “Game of Thrones” that aired on HBO on June 27.
Critics believe that the TV series shall have two more seasons to wrap up the major storylines of “Game of Thrones” and some also believe that the storylines in the remaining two seasons can already be covered by “The Winds of Winter,” which has yet to be released.
However, there are reports now saying that George Martin is determined to deliver two more books to wrap up the saga of “A Song of Ice and Fire.”