The Winds of Winter Release Date: George R.R. Martin’s Decade of Delays and Unfulfilled Promises
It’s been more than a decade since fans first began waiting for George R.R. Martin’s The Winds of Winter — the long-promised sixth installment in his A Song of Ice and Fire series, which inspired HBO’s Game of Thrones. Yet, as of October 2025, winter still hasn’t come.
Despite countless interviews, blog posts, and tentative timelines, Martin has missed every publicly stated release date since 2011. Here’s a full breakdown of his shifting promises, recent updates, and why the book remains unfinished after 13 years.
The Long Wait: A Decade of Missed Promises
When A Dance with Dragons was published in July 2011, Martin expressed confidence that the next book wouldn’t take nearly as long. Speaking to The Guardian that same year, he said he hoped to finish The Winds of Winter within three years — by 2014.
However, that optimism faded quickly.
- 2012: Martin admitted he was “lousy at predicting his own pace,” though he maintained that 2014 was still “possible.”
- 2015: He aimed to release the book alongside HBO’s Game of Thrones Season 6, hoping to align the stories.
- January 2016: In a now-infamous blog post titled “Not a Blog,” Martin confessed that he had missed yet another deadline and that the manuscript was not finished before the TV show’s sixth season.
- 2017: He suggested the book might appear “this year” — a claim that, like the others, went unfulfilled.
By 2024, Martin stopped offering firm deadlines altogether. He told fans he would only announce a release when the manuscript was completely done.
Progress Updates and Ongoing Setbacks
Over the years, Martin has occasionally shared glimpses into his writing process. In October 2022, he said The Winds of Winter was about three-quarters finished, totaling roughly 1,100–1,200 pages, with several hundred still to go.
Yet by late 2023, he admitted that progress had stalled again, saying he was “still struggling” with revisions and narrative pacing.
In April 2025, Martin candidly called the delay “the curse of my life,” acknowledging that the book was 13 years behind schedule. He cited multiple reasons: creative fatigue, overlapping projects, and the overwhelming success of his broader Game of Thrones universe.
The Distractions Slowing Down Winter
Martin’s packed schedule is one of the biggest culprits behind the repeated delays. Over the last decade, he’s split his time among various television and film ventures, including:
- HBO’s House of the Dragon, where he serves as co-executive producer.
- A spinoff project based on Dunk & Egg (titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms).
- His Santa Fe-based bookstore and production company, both of which demand ongoing involvement.
- A 2025 animated adaptation of A Dozen Tough Jobs, as reported by People.
Adding to the mix, Martin revealed that his ongoing legal disputes over AI and copyright issues with companies like OpenAI have consumed more time and energy than expected.
Why The Winds of Winter Keeps Delaying
Martin has long described himself as a “gardener” rather than an “architect” — a metaphor for his writing process. Rather than planning a rigid outline, he lets the story grow organically, often rewriting large sections as new ideas emerge.
This approach, while artistically rewarding, has proven disastrous for scheduling. Each revision spawns new subplots and characters, extending the already sprawling scope of Westeros.
According to Martin, the novel could exceed 1,500 pages, potentially making it the longest entry in the series. That ambition alone has caused structural and pacing challenges — especially as he tries to reconcile the book’s continuity with Game of Thrones, which has already concluded.
Current Status: Where Things Stand in 2025
As of October 2025, The Winds of Winter remains unfinished, unannounced, and unreleased. Martin recently confirmed that he’s still revising the manuscript but offered no timeline.
He told fans during a livestream that he’s focusing on “getting every thread right” and hinted that a new progress update might arrive at New York Comic Con 2025, where he’s scheduled to appear.
Despite fan frustration, Martin insists that he’s “not giving up” and that the book will be published — eventually.
The Timeline of Broken Promises
Here’s a quick look back at the author’s public targets and misses:
| Year | Martin’s Claim | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | “Within three years” (by 2014) | Missed |
| 2014 | “Possible release soon” | Missed |
| 2015 | “Aiming for 2016” | Missed |
| 2016 | Blog post confirms further delay | Missed |
| 2017 | “Maybe this year” | Missed |
| 2022 | “Three-quarters finished” | Progress reported |
| 2024 | “Will announce only when done” | Still unfinished |
| 2025 | “It’s the curse of my life” | No release date |
Will The Winds of Winter Ever Be Finished?
George R.R. Martin Confronted About The Winds Of Winter At Worldcon 2025
byu/feldtpeldt ingameofthrones
Fans remain divided. Some believe that The Winds of Winter will eventually see the light of day — especially since Martin continues to post updates and share writing progress. Others worry the project may never be completed, particularly as the author takes on more side work.
Even if The Winds of Winter does arrive, the final book in the series, A Dream of Spring, remains unwritten, making the conclusion to A Song of Ice and Fire even more uncertain.
What Fans Can Expect
If and when the novel is released, readers can anticipate:
- Expanded arcs for Sansa, Arya, and Tyrion.
- The long-awaited Battle for Winterfell in book form.
- New chapters from Dorne and the Iron Islands, previously sidelined in the show.
- A darker, more politically complex tone that diverges from Game of Thrones’ TV ending.
Martin has promised The Winds of Winter will take readers to “colder, bloodier, and stranger places than ever before.”
FAQs
1. Has George R.R. Martin finished The Winds of Winter?
No. As of October 2025, the book is still incomplete with no confirmed publication date.
2. How long has the book been delayed?
It’s been delayed for 13 years, since fans first expected a 2012–2014 release.
3. Why has it taken so long?
Martin’s meticulous writing style, numerous side projects, and creative perfectionism have all contributed to the delay.
4. Will The Winds of Winter conclude the series?
No. Martin has confirmed that a seventh book, A Dream of Spring, is planned to complete A Song of Ice and Fire.
5. Is there any official release window?
No — Martin says he will only announce a release date once the manuscript is fully finished.
Final Thoughts
More than a decade after its initial promise, The Winds of Winter has become one of the most anticipated — and elusive — novels in modern fantasy. For readers of A Song of Ice and Fire, the wait has turned from excitement to endurance.
Whether George R.R. Martin finally delivers the book in 2026 or beyond, one truth remains: the author has built an unmatched world — and fans will wait, however long it takes, to return to the snows of Westeros.
What’s your prediction — will The Winds of Winter release before 2027? Share your thoughts in the comments on investrecords.com!