No Imminent Release for ‘The Winds of Winter’ as Distractions Pile Up on George RR Martin?

 George R.R. Martin
George R.R. Martin at a book signing for ''A Dance of Dragons'' July 14, 2011. AP Photo/Charles Sykes

The chance is quite slim a 2017 release date for "The Winds of Winter" will happen and the main reason - George RR Martin is extremely busy. The "Game of Thrones" creator has earlier admitted ongoing projects swamp him at the moment and more recently fresh distractions emerged, which could easily delay things he's been doing, including the task to complete TWoW.

And that is unlikely to happen anytime soon as Martin reported on his latest blog post that he's dealing with some form of disruptions. First, he will need to get a new place and set up a temporary workplace, which Martin said should be accomplished real quick. "I should be settled in at the new place within a week or so," GRRM wrote.

Martin revealed he's renovating the old place and the ongoing construction will see the installation of a new and a few more improvements. It was clear the author will need to vacate the place for the time being "while the old workspace gets a new roof and some cool additions." It goes without saying Martin's work schedule will be slightly pushed back and not only by the underway home improvements but by his upcoming travel plans.

It appears Martin has blocked July for work though it's unimaginable that The Winds of Winter will be finalized in a month's time. By August, work will be halted anew as Martin is headed to New York, then to Finland and finally in Russia. GRRM said it's all work for him for the balance of 2017. Purposely, he restricted himself to two overseas travels with the intention of getting things done.

In the same blog post, Martin outlined the workloads that require his attention. The Game of Thrones spinoffs, which he prefer to call successor shows, are moving forward but unlikely to wrap up all at once. Also lined up are three Wild Cards series in which Martin's involvement is in the editing and rewriting process. As the writer had admitted before, the urge is inside him to see a Wild Cards title bearing his name but that will have to wait until the "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series is complete.

GRRM also teased of possible television projects but the details cannot be disclosed at the moment.

There was no mention if TWoW will come out prior to the Game of Thrones Season 7 premiere on July 16 and it's a safe bet the volume will again be outpaced by the HBO adaptation, indicating the show will include bits of spoilers.

But as stressed by Martin in the past, TWoW and ASOIAF have taken on a course that will only be unique for book readers. True there might be hints of the things to come provided by GoT but the book will still carry story arcs that will not be seen on TV. For instance, the GoT creator said Robert's Rebellion will be part of ASOIAF if not in The Winds of Winter then in "A Dream of Spring."

In an earlier blog, Martin declared: "I AM STILL WORKING ON WINDS OF WINTER and will continue working on it until it's done." However, when exactly the book release date remains a mystery to be solved, unlikely not within this year.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.