'The Winds of Winter' Release Date Update: George R.R. Martin Says Book Arriving Not Before 'Fire and Blood'

For any George R.R. Martin aficionado, a small whiff of news regarding “The Winds of Winter” is enough to send many into a frenzy. The last news from the celebrated author regarding the anticipated sixth book has been through his latest update on “Fire & Blood” last April.

In the update, Martin confirms that 2018 is not the year that “The Winds of Winter” will be published. He does not provide a solid date of release but he does mention that post- “Fire & Blood,” he will be back to focusing on “The Winds of Winter.”

“Fire & Blood,” a heavy tome that will focus on the Targaryen kings of old, is set to be released on Nov. 20. Unlike the books in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, “Fire and Blood” will read more like a historical account than a novel with its 989 pages of content. Even Martin has jokingly referred to it as his “GRRMarillion," referencing the same dense text that “The Lord of the Rings” author, J.R.R. Tolkien released which was essentially a detailed account of the history of Middle Earth.

Martin has already confirmed that while HBO may have “A Game of Thrones” prequel series in the works, he cannot talk about whether the planned series will be taking its material from the upcoming “Fire & Blood.” This may be bad news for any fans who are waiting for “The Winds of Winter” as Martin being pulled by HBO to work on the upcoming series means less time for the author to work on “The Winds of Winter.

For more recent news of his work and updates from his social media channel beyond “The Winds of Winter,” "Windhaven," co-authored by Martin and Lisa Tuttle, was published in a graphic novel format recently by Penguin Random House. The graphic novel was illustrated by Marvel artist Elsa Charretier.