‘The Winds of Winter’: George RR Martin publishing deadline is approaching fast; Author reveals grim truth if he’s unable to finish ‘TWOW’

“The Winds of Winter” is in the works for nearly a decade now and this year, it is anticipated to be released because George RR Martin said that it will be this year. Fans are just hoping that he will keep his promise this time around because he already broke at least two in the last eight years.

Delaying the book is frustrating even to GRRM

The 71-year-old author knows that he is so late with “The Winds of Winter.” He can’t deny it as he was supposed to release the book a long time ago and yet he can’t do it because he is still in the midst of writing.

Martin once said that just like his fans, he is also frustrated with the delays since he could have finished it on time but there was a bit of procrastination on his end so he always fails to meet the deadline. Plus, he has been busy with the “Game of Thrones” series which took more of his time than anticipated. In the end, writing “The Winds of Winter” has taken the back seat.

“I know there are a lot of people out there who are very angry with me that ‘The Winds of Winter’ isn’t finished,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “And I’m mad about that myself. I wished I finished it four years ago. I wished it was finished now. But it’s not.”

Aside from his busy schedules with the HBO series and other engagements as a writer, he also mentioned having writer’s block which made him unable to move forward with his writing. In any case, last year, he promised to publish “The Winds of Winter” in either late July or August.

Martin did not specifically mention these dates but because he stated that the book will be in his hands when he attends the WorldCon in New Zealand this year, then it was assumed that these are the dates as the event will run from July 29 to Aug. 2. However, this was canceled due to COVID-19 and there is no update from the author with regards to his vow.

This is the grim truth if Martin will not finish the book

While the publishing date of “The Winds of Winter” is getting closer, there is still uncertainty if Martin can really release it any time this year. This is because, even if he is in isolation right now and focused only on writing the book, his health is a concern as he is already 71 years old.

He admitted that he is not as healthy as he was so there is fear that he will not complete the book. Martin said that the truth is - if he can’t complete “The Winds of Winter,” then the ending of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series will never be known because it will die with him.

“It’s all in my head,” he said in his previous interview. “So if I die, you all are s*** out of luck.”