The ever-loyal fans of bestselling novelist George R.R. Martin are eagerly awaiting the release "The Winds of Winter," and many believe that it won't be out until next year. However, recent reports are claiming that the long-awaited sixth volume of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series may come earlier than bookworms think it will. 

Rumor has it that the 66-year-old author has spilled the beans in a "Game of Thrones" press event by revealing that he is down to making finishing touches to the hotly-anticipated novel. This has led to speculations that the penultimate book might be completed by October this year. 

However, although the idea of "The Winds of Winter" hitting the shelves in a few months time sounds rather delightful, it is advised to take it with a grain of salt. It seems that fans do not need to be warned about that as they themselves know the drill. 

Martin has repeatedly asserted that he won't make the announcement of the book's launch complicated. And with this big bombshell dropped, they would need Martin himself to confirm it. 

While Martin has yet to comment, fans can cling to the statements of "Game of Thrones" actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays Westeros kingslayer Jamie Lannister in the hit series HBO adaptation. The actor has hinted that "The Winds of Winter" is close to finding its way out into the open. In an interview with Men's Health (he will grace the cover of the publication's April issue), he revealed something that might help. 

"[The show bosses] know as much as George R.R. Martin knows. He hasn't written the books, but he knows how he wants it to end," Coster-Waldau said. "Well, I think he's written one of them now. I don't know when it comes out but I'd assume soon." 

But then again, if "The Winds of Winter" really is on its way out the door, Martin will not play around — he would let his ardent fans know. For now, it wouldn't hurt to just relax and wait for the book to get an official release date.