The 77-year-old author made the comments in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He addressed online speculation about his health and age, which he described as rude and upsetting.
Martin said there will be no ghostwriter, successor, or detailed plan left behind. If he does not finish the books himself, the story will remain incomplete. He compared this outcome to The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens.
Martin said the idea of leaving the series unfinished is a heavy burden. He said it would feel like a failure to him and that he wants to finish the story.
The most recent book in the series, A Dance with Dragons, was released in 2011. Martin said he has written about 1,100 pages of the next book, The Winds of Winter. He last confirmed this page count in December 2022 during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
He explained that progress is slow because he frequently rewrites chapters. He said he often revisits completed work and revises it to improve quality.
Martin also said the story has become more complex over time. The addition of many viewpoint characters in A Feast for Crows has made the narrative harder to manage. He said The Winds of Winter could become the longest book in the series if all planned material is included.
Outside the books, Martin has been involved in television projects. He is an executive producer on House of the Dragon and the AMC series Dark Winds. He said his working relationship with House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal has been difficult.
Martin also revealed that he began work on two new Dunk and Egg stories in 2025, set in Winterfell and the Riverlands.
Despite delays and other commitments, Martin said he is not tired of the world of Westeros. He said he remains invested in its stories while readers continue to wait for the next book.
Tags:
News
