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'The Winds of Winter' release date rumors: Book still unfinished, launching late 2016 or 2017?

Sheanne Aguila April 08, 2016 05:12 AM EST

With the "Game of Thrones" TV series already ahead of its book counterpart, George R. R. Martin's "The Winds of Winter" seems to be long overdue.

The best-selling author of the "Game of Thrones" series has already published 5 out of 7 books. Martin previously said in an interview with IGN that he intended to finish writing before "Game of Thrones" Season 6 comes out. Apparently, the TV series will be back this month so his plan to finish the book on time did not materialize.

Martin also pointed out that he is trying his best to make as much time as he can for the book, saying, "Maybe I'm being overly optimistic about how quickly I can finish. But I canceled two convention appearances, I'm turning down a lot more interview-anything I can do to clear my decks and get this done." At this rate, a late 2016 or 2017 release for "The Winds of Winter" is a more realistic timeframe.

Along with the delay, there are rumors making rounds about another writer who can help Martin finish the bookâ”€ Neil Gaiman. The famous novelist was quick to deny the rumor and said that the source should not be taken seriously. In a report by The Guardian, Gaiman wrote: "Sigh. There are no jokes on the internet: funny-silly blog at [the Santa Fe New Mexican] becomes 'news'."

As for spoilers, fans are well aware that the series is notorious for killing off major characters every season. "It involves a dead character, one of whom is dead in the show but not dead in the books. So the show can't do this unfortunately, because they have killed a character that I have not killed," Martin said. There are speculations that he is pertaining to Jon Snow, but the author won't give any details other than that.

While waiting for the book, fans are now anticipating HBO's "Game of Thrones" season 6 premiere on April 24 at 9 p.m. ET.

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