'Winds of Winter' release date, plot news: Release date still not final, says George R.R. Martin's publisher

Has George R.R. Martin finished writing "The Winds of Winter"? This is most likely what every "A Song of Ice and Fire" fan has on their mind.

Earlier this year, the author admitted that a portion of the novel will be revealed in the sixth season of the TV adaptation "Game of Thrones." In particular, Jon Snow's return from death is a small fragment from the upcoming novel.

The world has been waiting for Martin's novel, some more patiently than others. There have been various rumors circulating online. A few establishments even tried tricking fans as they announced alleged sales dates on their websites.

The author's U.S. publisher, Random House, recently addressed the incidents. "As his publisher, we support George R.R. Martin as he works hard to finish 'The Winds of Winter.' Any on-sale dates currently listed online for the novel are incorrect. Once we have a publication date for 'The Winds of Winter,' the world will know," read an official statement from the company.

Martin's U.K. publisher Voyager Books/Harper Collins also revealed, "Nothing has been finalized regarding the publication or the date."

Last year, a Reddit user claimed that Amazon posted false placeholder dates for Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels. Moreover, the author has reminded fans through the years that when the publication date is final, fans will hear of it first on his blog.

Sources said that a "Game of Thrones" spin-off or prequel is a possibility. According to reports, showrunner David Benioff admitted that another series is bound to happen; however, he and co-producer D.B Weiss will no longer be part of the show.

Reports added that the alleged series will take material from Martin's "Dunk & Egg" novels, which is set 90 years before the events in "A Song of Ice and Fire."

So far, the author hasn't confirmed the reports. Hence, fans should treat these as speculation until proven otherwise.