'Winds of Winter' release date news: George R.R. Martin too preoccupied to finish the book; alleged release leak shut down by his publishers

Co-executive producer George R.R. Martin arrives for the season premiere of HBO's ''Game of Thrones'' in San Francisco, California March 23, 2015.Reuters/Robert Galbraith

With fans breathing down his neck, it is expected that the famed author George R.R. Martin will finally release the newest title in his successful book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire." However, it seems that "The Winds of Winter" is still not going to be released this year or even the next, as Martin is currently pre-occupied with other projects.

According to the Parent Herald, the numerous reports regarding the book's imminent release have turned out to be false. As such, fans are losing hope of the title getting published within this year, but right now they are holding on to the rumor that "The Winds of Winter" will come out next year around March 2017. After all, this controversial date is due to the fact that Amazon France's "The Winds of Winter" placeholder indicated that the book will be released by then, specifically on the 19th.

However, George R.R. Martin's publishers have already denied the purported release date, with his U.S. publisher going so far as to say that the release date on any current listings online are incorrect and as such should be disregarded.

Furthermore, Amazon France has then since removed the release date from their website after this announcement. Regardless, fans are still hoping that the slip-up is intentional in order to gain more hype for the book once again.

Meanwhile, according to the iTechPost, George R.R. Martin made an announcement early this year that the book will not be published by the time the sixth season of "Game of Thrones" is aired, and has apologized for all the delay. He further explains that he is not the kind of person to adhere to deadlines as it just stresses him out. He ensures fans that despite the delay, they will be rewarded with the best story he can ever make with his current abilities.