There were previous reports saying that Martin actually finished writing “The Winds of Winter” already but is merely holding it since he does not want to spoil the upcoming Season 7 and perhaps Season 8 of “Game of Thrones.”
The last book in the fantasy novel series to be published was “A Dance with Dragons” back in 2011 which coincided with the season premiere of “Game of Thrones.”
Fans have been waiting for over five years for the next book and the television series has not only caught up to the novels but has surpassed them.
Many fans thought the new novel was complete and were expected it to be released around the time of the premiere of Season 7 of the TV series.
The first three books namely, “A Game of Thrones,” released in 1996, “A Clash of Kings” released in 1988, and “A Storm of Swords,” released in 2000, came out on a bi-annual basis.
It took another five years to get “A Feast of Crows,” released in 2005 and another six to get “A Dance with Dragons.”
Many fans now have to be wondering if the TV series will conclude its scheduled eight seasons before they get the sixth book. George Martin told his fans that they should take a deep breath and silently tell to themselves that ‘Winter is coming.’