As the entertainment industry faces the impact of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind Game of Thrones and the A Song of Ice and Fire series, has reassured fans that he is diligently working on the highly anticipated seventh installment, “The Winds of Winter.”
In a recent post on his Not a Blog, Martin shared an update on his progress, stating, “Almost every day. Writing, rewriting, editing, writing some more. Making steady progress.” While acknowledging that it might not be as fast as fans hope, he remains committed to bringing this long-awaited book to life. Since the release of the sixth book, “A Dance with Dragons,” in 2011, readers have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the epic fantasy saga.
December 2022 brought a glimmer of hope when Martin hinted at the book’s advancement, revealing that he had completed approximately 1,200 pages and estimated around 500 pages left to go. “The Winds of Winter” is poised to become the lengthiest entry in the series, surpassing its predecessors “A Storm of Swords” and “A Dance with Dragons,” both of which spanned roughly 1,500 pages. Once this installment is complete, Martin’s narrative journey will culminate with “A Dream of Spring,” the final novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire saga.
While the strikes have not hampered Martin’s progress as a novelist, they have impacted his film and TV endeavors. HBO, the network behind the iconic Game of Thrones adaptation, suspended its deal with the author on June 1, 2023. Nevertheless, Martin acknowledged that he considers himself fortunate due to his established position in Hollywood. He stands in solidarity with the writers and industry newcomers affected by the strikes, emphasizing the importance of supporting those striving to make their mark in the entertainment world.
Despite these challenges, Martin shared positive news about the Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon. The show’s second season remains unaffected as the scripts were written prior to the WGA strike announcement, and its actors are members of the UK union Equity, not the US-based SAG-AFTRA.
As fans eagerly await the release of “The Winds of Winter,” they can find solace in the streaming world, with all eight seasons of Game of Thrones currently available on Max. George R.R. Martin’s enduring dedication to his craft promises to deliver another thrilling and immersive addition to the beloved fantasy universe.
