George R.R. Martin has commented that he believes The Winds of Winter will be released this year… but there’s a catch.
Earlier today, Martin took the time to respond to readers’ comments on his totally-a-blog, Not A Blog. Though the conversation largely focuses on subjects discussed in the post — namely Giants football, the Golden Globes, and Hollywood liberalism — one reader did manage to wheedle out a few details regarding The Winds of Winter.
The commenter, who posted under the name “J Snow,” takes Martin to task for the lack of recent information on the sixth book in A Song of Ice and Fire. J Snow reminds the author (as though he didn’t already know) that about a year has passed since fans have been updated on the novel’s status.
“Unless you want to be bombarded with im’s like this, i would suggest another updated [sic],” the commenter writes.
(x)
Martin responds to the question with surprising candor, for all that he seems understandably frustrated.
“I will try it your way,” he writes. “Not done yet, but I’ve made progress. But not as much as I hoped a year ago, when I thought to be done by now.”
“I think it will be out this year. (But hey, I thought the same thing last year).”
Look, let’s be honest. As A Song of Ice and Fire fans, it’s encouraging to know that George R.R. Martin believes that the end might be in sight for The Winds of Winter. That said, it is remarkably poor form for fans to badger an author for updates on their personal website — especially when that author takes the time to engage in conversation with readers.
Sure, it’s nice to be updated. It’s also nice to read the many preview chapters Martin has released, to explore the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, and to wait for the release of Game of Thrones season 7. Martin’s work as an artist is to write; our work as fans is to cultivate the art of waiting.
And after all, as Martin himself says, his prediction is no guarantee. Anyone who has read the author’s note at the end of A Feast for Crows should know that.
The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin will hit bookstores whenever he happens to finish it.
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