'ASOIAF' Fans Have No Sympathy Toward George RR Martin Amid 15-Year Delay of 'The Winds of Winter'

The literary world continues to wait for 'The Winds of Winter' as the delay approaches 15 years. Author George RR Martin has drawn criticism from his original readership as he continues to work on television spin-offs and side projects.

One fan took to social media to say they 'feel sorry' for the acclaimed author because he is already in his late 70s. The reaction, however, has not been favourable to Martin, who has kept fans of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' waiting for the last two books for over a decade.

'I Don't Feel Sorry'

A recent wave of discourse on X (formerly Twitter) has highlighted a widening rift between George RR Martin and his followers. One user expressed pity for the 77-year-old writer, noting that many deliverables are expected of him given his age. Among the books fans have been looking forward to from Martin are 'The Winds of Winter' (TWOW), 'A Dream of Spring', 'Blood & Fire', and more 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' novellas.

However, the majority of X users disagreed, saying they had already waited long enough for 'TWOW' that they no longer felt sympathy for Martin despite his age.

'Well, don't because he's had decades to write those books,' one commented. Another added, 'This 77-year-old man was younger than 67 when he initially promised to finish Winds of Winter. No Sympathy.'

Many called out Martin for the 15-year delay. According to them, they did not ask for any other projects, as they only wanted GRRM to finish the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series.

'If George were simply more disciplined and treated writing like a nine-to-five job instead of constantly flying out without his computer and working on other projects, he would get these books out in no time,' the fan said. 'It's not that the story has become too complicated for him to finish; it's that he's too distracted and undisciplined to finish his core work.'

Another fan shared the same view, saying, 'I don't feel sorry because he wasn't 77 15 years ago,' adding that the lack of a proper ending to 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is 'entirely GRRM's fault.'

Martin Confirms 'The Winds of Winter' May Remain Unfinished

The concerns surrounding the series go beyond fan speculation. Martin himself has acknowledged that if he were to pass away before completing the manuscript, the book would likely remain unfinished, as he has indicated he would not authorise another writer to complete it.

As the delay stretches toward two decades, a segment of the audience is urging the author to formally shelve the series. Some argue it would be more straightforward for Martin to acknowledge the delay than to continue without a committed release date. Critics maintain that his work ethic is fair game for public scrutiny, particularly as he remains active in commenting on other writers' adaptations.

Could Martin Release 'The Winds of Winter' in 2026?

Despite hopes that periodically resurface within the fandom, the prospect of 'The Winds of Winter' reaching bookshelves in 2026 appears unlikely. As of March 2026, Martin has provided no confirmed 'TWOW' release date.

While some fans have speculated that a line in the recent season finale of 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' may have signalled a surprise release, Martin's own updates remain non-committal. The author continues to cite the same 1,100-page count he first mentioned in late 2022 and has told The Hollywood Reporter that, despite the book being his priority, he is occasionally 'not in the mood' for the task of untangling its complex subplots.

With Martin currently focusing on his new stage play, 'The Mad King', and various HBO spin-offs, many frustrated readers now view 2027 as a more realistic, if still uncertain, window for the novel's debut.

The consensus suggests that the window for a triumphant return to Westeros is closing. For a fandom that has waited since 2011, the lack of sympathy is the natural result of a 15-year silence.