George R. R. Martin Reveals Sixth 'A Song Of Ice And Fire' Novel Is Still Not Finished

Author George R. R. Martin has announced the sixth book in his highly popular A Song of Ice and Fire is still not finished.

There had been speculation the author would announce The Winds of Winter was finished at the end of 2015.

But alas, it's not to be. Writing on his blog, Martin said: "THE WINDS OF WINTER is not finished."

"Believe me, it gave me no pleasure to type those words. You're disappointed, and you're not alone. My editors and publishers are disappointed, HBO is disappointed, my agents and foreign publishers and translators are disappointed... but no one could possibly be more disappointed than me. For months now I have wanted nothing so much as to be able to say, "I have completed and delivered THE WINDS OF WINTER" on or before the last day of 2015.

But the book's not done.

Nor is it likely to be finished tomorrow, or next week. Yes, there's a lot written. Hundreds of pages. Dozens of chapters. But there's also a lot still left to write. I am months away still... and that's if the writing goes well. (Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't.) Chapters still to write, of course... but also rewriting. I always do a lot of rewriting, sometimes just polishing, sometimes pretty major restructures.

Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images

Martin said he had originally planned to have the book finished and released before the sixth series of Game Of Thrones airs in mid-2016. He attributed the delay to travel, other projects, and family life.

"There are no excuses. No one else is to blame. Not my editors and publishers, not HBO, not David & Dan. It's on me. I tried, and I am still trying," Martin wrote.

"I am going back to my stance from last March, before all this. It will be done when it's done. And it will be as good as I can possibly make it."

I guess, it's back to re-reading and waiting ... so much waiting.