37 replies to this topic

[Werthead]

As we did for ADWD, here's a thread to cover the info we have about The Winds of Winter. Hopefully I still won't be updating it in five years' time


The Winds of Winter is the sixth of seven planned books in A Song of Ice and Fire. It is currently planned to be the penultimate volume in the series, to be followed by A Dream of Spring. George R.R. Martin is currently working on the book. There is no date set for completion and no date set for publication at this time.

Approximately 100 manuscript pages of material was held back from the completion of A Dance with Dragons to kick-start The Winds of Winter. Given GRRM's tendency towards numerous and extensive rewrites, it is unclear how much, if any, of a head-start this will give him on the novel. At the moment it is not known how many manuscript pages the novel will be in length; A Dance with Dragons was 1,510 for comparison purposes.

The list of confirmed and known POV characters for the book so far consists of:

Spoiler

Arianne Martell
Sansa Stark
Aeron 'Damphair' Greyjoy

In addition it is assumed that most, if not all, of the POV characters who survived A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons will return. The book will likely have a prologue (like the other five volumes) but we do not know if it will have an epilogue.

From an interview with EW's Shelf Life website, George indicates what storylines will likely feature in the next book:

Spoiler

He indicates that Mago, a minor Dothraki character in A Game of Thrones who joins Khal Jhaqo when Drogo's khalasar splinters apart, will play a notable role, presumably in Daenerys' storyline. Mago is killed off in the HBO TV series. GRRM told the producers that Mago would have a larger role later on but they proceeded with killing him off.

GRRM also confirms that Osha will return in The Winds of Winter. ADWD hints that she and Rickon have taken refuge on the island of Skagos, and Davos Seaworth is going to try to find them.

This post will be updated as additional info comes in.

NOTE to mods: can someone pin this post please? Cheers

Edited by TerraPrime, 13 July 2011 - 10:36 AM.

[Tyrone Biggums]

I was waiting for this topic hoping that someone had heard more then I on how far along he was with it...

Sadly I feel a long wait is in order now..Must drag out DWD as long as possible.

[Axon]

I think we'll have it in 2-3 years. With the mounting popularity (and, I'm sure, cash) of the HBO series, it makes sense for him to bang them out.

[Tyrone Biggums]

True, didn't think of that.

I made a bet with a friend today too; he said the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup before GRRM finishes the series...

If either one happens within the next 5 years I will be one happy SOB.

[mr. peasant]

Axon, on 12 July 2011 - 02:06 PM, said:

I think we'll have it in 2-3 years. With the mounting popularity (and, I'm sure, cash) of the HBO series, it makes sense for him to bang them out.

Which may or may not be a good thing. Inspiration is not aided by a schedule and rushing things can lead to things feeling unpolished. On the other hand, it's true that overthinking and reviewing a text too many times can be detrimental to quality as well.

On a completely separate note, while the title 'The Winds of Winter' sounds alright and all, I can't help but think it would have been much cooler if it had been titled 'The Wolves of Winter' instead. Though, it may just be my bias towards the Stark kids.  

[Lord Tywin]

Tyrone Biggums, on 12 July 2011 - 04:19 PM, said:

True, didn't think of that.

I made a bet with a friend today too; he said the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup before GRRM finishes the series...

I will shit gold before the leaves get any sniff at Cup glory.

Go George Go.

[Basileus777]

GRRM said he would resume work on the series in 2012. So if things go well and he finishes Winds in 3-4 years, we could get the book in 2015 or 2016.

Edited by Basileus777, 13 July 2011 - 12:30 AM.

[aktarian]

Well, it's been a whole day since ADWD came out so it's time we start asking when next book will come out.  

[Ser Lich]

This may be wishful thinking, but I think he will be done all 8 (yes 8) books by 2017.
With the success of the first season of GoT HBO will be putting the pressure on to keep the series going (pressure=financial incentives). Which means GRRM will need to have each book out at least a year before that season of the series commences.
GoT Season 2 (CoK) – 2012
GoT Season 3 (ASoS) – 2013
GoT Season 4 (AFfC) – 2014
GoT Season 5 (ADwD) – 2015
GoT Season 6 (WoW) – 2016
GoT Season 7 (ADoS) – 2017
Got Season 8 (8th Book) – 2018
Which means the 8th book would need to be released in 2017.  Book 6, 2013, Book 7 2015.  That’s 2 years between books, which he was able to do between CoK and ASoS in Nov 1998 and August 2000.
This assumes a few things about HBO:
1. One season per book
2. No Hiatuses (or is it hiati…)
3. The series will actually continue.
So…yes, I am hopeful that GRRM can knock out 3 books in 6 years (while still recognizing it took him 6 years for this last book)
You can do it George- knock em out.

[Ragnarokandroll]

Ser Lich, on 13 July 2011 - 10:32 AM, said:

This may be wishful thinking, but I think he will be done all 8 (yes 8) books by 2017.
With the success of the first season of GoT HBO will be putting the pressure on to keep the series going (pressure=financial incentives). Which means GRRM will need to have each book out at least a year before that season of the series commences.
GoT Season 2 (CoK) – 2012
GoT Season 3 (ASoS) – 2013
GoT Season 4 (AFfC) – 2014
GoT Season 5 (ADwD) – 2015
GoT Season 6 (WoW) – 2016
GoT Season 7 (ADoS) – 2017
Got Season 8 (8th Book) – 2018
Which means the 8th book would need to be released in 2017.  Book 6, 2013, Book 7 2015.  That’s 2 years between books, which he was able to do between CoK and ASoS in Nov 1998 and August 2000.
This assumes a few things about HBO:
1. One season per book
2. No Hiatuses (or is it hiati…)
3. The series will actually continue.
So…yes, I am hopeful that GRRM can knock out 3 books in 6 years (while still recognizing it took him 6 years for this last book)
You can do it George- knock em out.

While I agree that GRRM will be pressured and more than likely will want to release his story before the HBO version, I don't think SOS and onward will be one book = one season. So GRRM will more than likely have a little more time. I'll say the complete saga will be done by 2017 if it's two more books easy, maybe 2019 if it's three

[Lord Damian]

HBO will most likely combine season 4/5 AFFC and ADWD and make it a short season for the last half of ADWD if not for anything but to give GRRM time.

[Joni]

I've read somewhere that Storm of Swords will be split into two seasons, or extended by several episodes (16-20).

However, with the mounting expenses of each season, HBO may pull a Rome on us and cancel it after the second season.

Edited by Joni, 13 July 2011 - 06:32 PM.

[Emerson]

The odds are against this show seeing completion, but I promise you HBO won't pull a Rome unless Season 2 craps all over itself. HBO has acknowledged multiple times that cancelling Rome after Season 2 was a mistake. They won't do it to GOT. We'll get through SOS at least.

[HelloNurse]

I keep hearing 8 books now. Where is this coming from?

[Basileus777]

HelloNurse, on 14 July 2011 - 02:59 AM, said:

I keep hearing 8 books now. Where is this coming from?

It's speculation based on where the series is after 5 books, how much still needs to be written about, and GRRM's ability to move the plot along in his last two books.

[arek]

I heard they might make ASOS into two seasons, that being said I think it would be a mistake to end Season 3 (mid book) with the Red wedding it would be more of a shocker (for non book fans) if it happened mid season, not in the end of season (where viewers will expect something big)

[Arataniello]

[mod] The discussion here seems to be drifting somewhat.  Please keep comments in this thread restricted to the timing of The Winds of Winter, as there are already threads elsewhere (in the TV section) whcih are more appropriate for the discussion of the correlation between previously published volumes and TV series season.  Thank you.  [/mod]

[Stark White Blk Untruth]

all of GRRM's books are more than worth the wait; but read 2 comments on other sites that were worth sharing:
'...came to these books because of the HBO show. I cannot for the life of me imagine how people who have been reading these books from day one have managed to wait so long for each novel without going insane as the Mad King'

well, there's plenty of us that are more than a little insane but not enough to burn people for fun  

and there was another fan who 'loves the books but is a septuagenarian who hopes to enjoy the finale'

if that was my grandfather I would put any unread book in with him.

[Flit]

The longest I waited for a book was eight years, and it was a pathetically written poor excuse of a book. Not really worth the paper it was printed on. It was as if the author had forgotten what she was writing about in the first place. (in fact, I'm quite convinced she has, because most of it did not make sense.)

If Winds of Winter is like DwD is turning out to be, he can take as much time as he likes. I will willingly send care packets if needs be, start a fund to support the author. Only I'm sure with this amount of fans and a TV series, he doesn't need any of that kind of help. Though I will defend the length of time to any fool who complains, as I have already. Because it's worth it, for a story like that, time is the least we can give.

[JayDubya]

Book four of the War against the Chtorr (David Gerrold) came out in 1994.   It ended on a cliffhanger.  We're still waiting on Book 5.