Overview
- The figure of 5,458 days, reached on June 21, 2026, means the gap since A Dance With Dragons now exceeds the total time George R.R. Martin took to publish the first five books.
- George R.R. Martin has repeatedly said the novel has progressed slowly and pointed to writing difficulties and many other projects as reasons for the delay.
- In 2022 Martin told Bangcast he had written roughly 1,100 pages and released some chapters publicly, but he and his publisher have not set a release date.
- The Folio Society posted an Instagram tease promising “one secret” for a limited A Game of Thrones edition, a collector-focused move that does not confirm a Winds of Winter announcement.
- Fan reaction ranges from frustration to cautious hope, and the most likely next signs of progress would be direct updates from Martin or an official publisher announcement rather than third-party teases.