Fans of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series may need to wait longer for "The Winds of Winter," as the book's release is said to be delayed once again given author George R.R. Martin's busy schedule.
Martin recently launched "Stagecoach Foundation" last March 16, an organization that is dedicated to putting his hometown of Santa Fe under the spotlight. He is also reportedly working on another television adaptation with HBO, although he said that he cannot disclose any information about this project just yet. While fans are excited about the television project, with some surmising it might be an adaptation of the "Dunk and Egg" stories the author has written, many are not pleased with the further delays in the development of "The Winds of Winter."
"The Winds of Winter" is the sixth book in the series. The previous installment, "A Dance with Dragons," was released in July 2011. The long duration between the two book releases have led to fans' increased clamor for updates, especially given that its television adaptation, "Game of Thrones," has already overtaken the storyline of the novels.
Martin did not divulge any details about the official release of "The Winds of Winter" after he was criticized by fans for his tendency to announce publication dates, only to not meet the deadline. Martin said on his blog last January that he believed he could finish the book within 2017, although he gave the disclaimer that he thought the same thing in the previous year. Rumors are now ongoing that the novel will be released in time for the author's 70th birthday in 2018, although neither Martin nor his publishers have confirmed or denied this.
Martin previously announced that Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Arianne Martell, Aeron Greyjoy, Theon Greyjoy, Victorion Greyjoy, Tyrion Lannister, Barristan Selmy, and Cersei Lannister will have point-of-view chapters in "The Winds of Winter."
