When Will the Next ASOIAF Books Be Released?

The much-anticipated continuation of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin has left fans eagerly awaiting the release of Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Since the release of the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, in July 2011, there has been considerable speculation about when the next installment in the series will be available.

The Current Status of the Series

The series, originally comprising of six main books and one incomplete prequel, The Trail of the Dragon, has not seen a new main series entry since 2011. Despite the release of several prequel books that flesh out some of the background, fans have been left longing for the continuation of the main storyline. George R.R. Martin, the author, has always been tightly lipped about his writing plans, much to the frustration of his dedicated fanbase.

Deadlines, Promises, and Speculation

During his reign as the author, Martin has repeatedly set deadlines for the completion of Winds of Winter and failed to meet them all. Despite these failed deadlines, there have been a few hopeful moments. For instance, in a recent blog post, Martin expressed his hope to travel to Wellington in the near future, suggesting that he might finally be making progress. However, many fans remain skeptical and continue to entertain false hopes each time.

Given Martin's track record, many speculations range from a doubt that the book will ever be published to an optimistic possibility of release in less than a year. One of the most notable predictions comes from a Quora post, where it is argued that the book could be completed by July 2021 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of A Dance with Dragons. This timing is seen as a psychologically powerful milestone, which could potentially motivate the author to finalizing the work.

Another prediction suggests that the book will be "finished" by the late spring to early fall of 2021, which is May-September. While Martin's definition of "finished" could mean that the book is ready for publication, it is important to note that "next year" could still be quite vague. From an optimistic and realistic standpoint, the final draft might be completed by early 2021, with the possibility of a physical release as early as May 2021.

Conclusion

While the release date of the next ASOIAF books remains uncertain, the community remains hopeful. Martin's comments and the anticipation of an anniversary release offer a glimmer of hope. Fans are divided between frustration and optimism, with some believing that the author's momentum could lead to a completion by 2021. Regardless of the exact timing, one cannot deny the impact and hype surrounding the continuation of this beloved series.