Previously, fans are expecting that the sixth book in George R.R. Martin's acclaimed series will launch next year. However, it is said that "The Winds of Winter" will launch in 2018 instead.

According to Gamenguide, while the author has yet to confirm the delay, George R.R. Martin himself admits that he is not as young as when he started and therefore lags in his writing. While "The Winds of Winter" is still being written, the author says that he is no longer as fast as when the previous books in "A Song of Ice and Fire" series were written. He is also stated that he is only months from finishing the book, although he still needs to write hundreds of pages.

However, even if George R.R. Martin finishes the book by early next year, "The Winds of Winter" will still have to undergo a number of pre-publishing routes before a final version is approved for printing. Observers even agree that even if the book comes out late in 2017, it will probably be launched after the TV adaptation of the series, "Game of Thrones," has ended. It is likely that the production of the sixth book will even extend to 2018.

Meanwhile, since George R.R. Martin has already finished the early parts of the book, it is said that an early excerpt from the "A Song of Ice and Fire" continuation is already available. A portion of the upcoming sixth book is reportedly included in the digital edition of the "Game of Thrones: Enhanced Edition" series on the Apple Store. However, it is unclear how substantial the official leaked excerpt is, or what part it occurs in "The Winds of Winter." Martin himself praised the special release, saying that "The digital book gives readers the ability to experience all this rich secondary material that had not been possible before. These enhanced editions, available only on iBooks, include sigils and family trees and glossaries. Anything that confuses you, anything you want to know more about, it's right there at your fingertips. It's an amazing next step in the world of books."