It was long believed that author George R.R. Martin would be able to launch his book "The Winds of Winter" prior to the premiere of "A Game of Thrones" season 6 but this was shot down when Martin himself revealed the book would be delayed. There are now speculations, via Wars and Politics of Ice and Fire, that the book will be out at least prior to the premiere of season 7.

Last year Martin canceled several of his convention appearances and also decided to not write an episode for "Game of Thrones" in order to concentrate on finishing "The Winds of Winter," but even then the book was not ready for publishing. This may mean, however, that it will be out on bookshelves by the end of 2016 or by early 2017.

If this proves true then the book will launch prior to season 7. Martin has, on numerous occasions, confirmed that the books and show were separate entities and that characters and events played out very differently in both mediums, ensuring that even though the show would spoil what "The Winds of Winter" would be about, the experience would still feel radically new.

After all, the highly acclaimed HBO series is based on the "A Song of Ice and Fire" books and it would be strange for the show to now overtake the novels now that the series has catched up to the events in the books. Back in November last year, Entertainment Weekly reported Martin never fathomed the show would catch up.

"The show, of course, has caught up to me, which I didn't actually think would ever happen," the author stated. Martin began the series as far back as 1991. When the show launched, Martin had just released the fifth book in the series, and with only two books left, it was believed he would finish before the show caught up.

"I had such a huge lead, but the truth is, I'm a very slow writer."

While there is no word on an official release date for "The Winds of Winter," the sixth season of "A Game of Thrones" will premiere this April 24.