"The Winds of Winter" is one of the most highly anticipated books in recent years and has fans worried that the book will not come out prior to "Game of Thrones" season 6, the latter being based on the unreleased novel. According to a recent post on Wars and Politics of Ice and Fire it is speculated that the book won't even come out until late 2016.

According to the report, author George R.R. Martin has most likely completed well over a thousand pages with his manuscript, with only a few hundred more to go in order to finish the main draft of the novel. However, it is important to add into the timetable the required time needed for editing and publishing procedures.

It is explained that for most publishing houses, it takes anywhere from four to six months to get a manuscript out as a complete book on store shelves. However, when "A Dance With Dragons," was submitted it only took the publishing house no more than seven weeks to get the book out for retail.

However, even if Martin's book was to see an accelerated process in the publishing house, he would still need to submit the final manuscript by early 2016. According to the report, the latest Martin can submit the manuscript is by Feb. 23, 2016 in order for the book to be out prior or at least simultaneously with the premiere of "Game of Thrones."

As stated in a report from Winter Is Coming, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not Martin will be able to hit the deadline. The author has skipped numerous conventions this year and has also declined to pen a screenplay for "Game of Thrones" season 6 in order to focus entirely on the novel, but even then it is possible that he is nowhere near being done.

While fans eagerly wait for "The Winds of Winter," the sixth season of "Game of Thrones" is scheduled to premiere this April 2016.