‘The Winds of Winter’ Release Date: Delayed or Not, What to Expect from George RR Martin

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

Recently, George RR Martin provided an update on the progress of his work for "The Winds of Winter," saying it will be completed for sure but the author did not commit to a specific deadline. It seems likely that the book release date will be delayed to 2018 but aside from that: What really to expect from GRRM as far TWoW is concerned?

For one, the timing of the book publication is far from being finalized. The idea that TWoW is delayed until next year stemmed from Martin's refusal to provide a definite printing time. And it's completely understandable as the Game of Thrones creator would not want to repeat his mistake in the past.

As early as 2015, Martin teased that delivering the TWoW manuscript was doable but nothing materialized. So at the start of 2017 and to avoid raising false hopes from fans, GRRM thought it wise to just issue general updates on the book's progress and held off on the specifics.

So in his last announcement, Martin simply said the book will again be delayed if the expectation was it will be out before July 2017. And he has valid reasons. The author revealed he is working on other books aside from the sixth instalment of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novel. And more prominently, Martin is preparing five pilot scripts that could lead to a number of Game of Thrones spinoffs.

Hopefully, the GoT successor shows will come into fruition immediately after the Game of Thrones Season 8, which HBO said will be aired in 2018 or 2019. These workloads, Martin admitted, will possibly delay the arrival of The Winds of Winter.

And it goes without saying that since GoT Season 7 will end its 2017 run and TWoW remains unavailable, there will be book spoilers that will be seen on the HBO fantasy-drama series. But Martin gave assurance there will be TWoW servings that will be absent from the show.

One is the Robert's Rebellion arc that many GoT and ASOIAF fans believe is the precursor to the Game of Thrones storyline. In his blog, GRRM confirmed the spinoffs he's working will not include Robert's Rebellion. For sure, it will be included on the ASOIAF series and since The Winds of Winter is not yet completed there is a chance the history will be inserted in the volume.

As what exactly The Winds of Winter will actually offer, Martin has been hinting of the things to expect by providing glimpses of unfinished chapters of the book. These clues so far indicated that GRRM will use around 21 characters as different point of views for TWoW, GoT-focused blog site Winter is Coming reported.

Many of these characters are included in Game of Thrones but some will remain exclusive to TWoW, further indicating that while GoT will include spoilers for the book there will be story arcs found only in The Winds of Winter. As the same WiC report pointed out, Jon Snow remains dead in the book that should serve as proof GRRM is making sure there will be marked distinction between TWoW and the Game of Thrones.

    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.

Top Stories