Honestly, we’ve all been here before. You wake up, check your feed, and there it is: another "update" on George R.R. Martin’s progress. It’s been nearly 15 years since A Dance with Dragons hit shelves in 2011. Since then, the wait for Winds of Winter news has turned into a sort of collective cultural trauma for fantasy fans.
But this week felt different. Or maybe just more honest.
In a massive sit-down with The Hollywood Reporter on January 15, 2026, George basically laid his cards on the table. He’s 77 now. He’s tired. And for the first time, he admitted that while he wants to finish, there are days when he’s just "not in the mood."
The 1,100-Page Trap
Let’s talk about the number everyone is obsessed with: 1,100 pages.
That’s the figure George cited again this month. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. He’s been hovering around that 1,100 to 1,200-page mark since roughly late 2022. To some, this looks like he hasn't written a single word in three years. That’s not quite how it works with George, though.
He’s a "gardener," not an "architect." He doesn't just build a straight line to the end. He rewrites. Constantly.
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George admitted in the interview that he’ll often open a chapter he finished a year ago, realize it’s "not very good," and scrap the whole thing. He’s essentially treadmill-writing—moving a lot but staying in the same place. He mentioned that if he actually finishes everything currently in his head, this will be the longest book in the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series, likely eclipsing the 1,500+ manuscript pages of A Storm of Swords.
Why Tyrion is causing problems
One of the most interesting nuggets of Winds of Winter news to come out of this latest update involves everyone's favorite Lannister. George confessed that Tyrion’s arc is proving particularly difficult to nail down. He’s a "tragic" character, and George warned fans that Tyrion won't be getting the "happy ending" the HBO show gave him.
In the books, Tyrion is much darker. He’s a villain in the making, or at least a very grey anti-hero. Getting that tone right while juggling the 20-plus other viewpoint characters is what’s stalling the engine.
The "Edwin Drood" Scenario
For years, fans have speculated about what happens if George passes away before the series is done. Some hoped Brandon Sanderson or the Expanse writers (who used to be George’s assistants) would step in.
George shut that down. Hard.
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He compared the current state of the series to The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the novel Charles Dickens left unfinished at his death. If George doesn't finish it, no one does. There is no secret outline hidden in a vault for another writer to follow. He told the reporter, "My work won't be finished. It’ll just... end."
It’s a grim thought, but it explains why he’s so protective. He’d rather it be incomplete than have someone else "mess it up."
The HBO Distraction is Real
It’s hard to stay focused on a 30-year-old book project when you’re also the executive producer of a massive TV empire.
- House of the Dragon: George’s relationship with showrunner Ryan Condal is reportedly "abysmal" right now. He apparently walked out of a Zoom call recently after declaring, "This is not my story any longer."
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: This new prequel about Dunk and Egg premieres tomorrow, January 18, 2026.
- The Arya Sequel: Rumors are swirling about a potential sequel series following Arya Stark’s travels west of Westeros.
George admitted that he’s been spending time writing new Dunk and Egg novellas instead of the main series. He’s got 10 to 12 more stories about them in his head. Honestly? He sounds more excited about those than he does about Bran Stark’s tax policy.
Realistically, when is the release?
There’s a bit of symbolic hope for August 2026. That would be the 30th anniversary of the first book’s publication. It would be poetically perfect. But based on the "1,100 pages" plateau, a 2026 release would require George to finish the final 400-500 pages in the next six months to allow for the half-year publishing lead time.
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Possible? Maybe. Likely? Well, we’ve been saying "next year" since 2014.
What You Should Do Instead of Stressing
Waiting for Winds of Winter news shouldn't be a full-time job. If you’re feeling the burnout, here is the expert-recommended way to handle the "Long Wait" without losing your mind.
- Read the Excerpts (Again): There are 11 released chapters or transcripts out there. The "Arianne II" chapter and "The Forsaken" (Aeron Greyjoy) are some of the best things George has ever written. They remind you why you’re waiting in the first place.
- Pivot to Dunk and Egg: If you haven't read A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, do it before the show starts tomorrow. It’s lighter, tighter, and actually finished.
- Accept the Changes: George has confirmed that the book ending will be "significantly different" from the show. Characters who died in the show will live in the books, and vice versa. He even mentioned he might let Sansa live because he liked Sophie Turner’s portrayal, even though he originally planned to kill her off.
The reality is that George R.R. Martin is a human being, not a content machine. He’s a wealthy, older man who wants to enjoy his life and his other projects. Whether Winds arrives in 2026 or 2030, the world he built is already a legacy.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go back and read the "Theon I" sample chapter from George's website. It features Stannis Baratheon in top form and sets the stage for the Battle of Ice, which is likely the first major event we'll see in the book. It’s a great way to refresh your memory of where the "Northern" plotline actually left off before the HBO show took its own path.