While a good number of fans are undoubtedly anticipating the sixth season of the hit TV series "Game of Thrones," many are also waiting patiently for the sixth book in the franchise of "A Song of Ice and Fire" on which the TV adaptation is based. Recently, a bit of good news surfaced for book lovers and George R.R. Martin fans – "The Winds of Winter" may finally be published next year.

According to a recent report by The Independent, a radio station interview with Spanish editor Alejo Cuervo had him mentioning that the sixth book is planned to come out by next year. Cuervo is an editor for the Spanish publisher Ediciones Gigamesh, the company that owns the rights to the books. The report also mentioned Cuervo knowing George R.R. Martin personally.

Cuervo revealed that the English manuscript — to be translated to Spanish — will be given to them before the release date of the English version. The gap between the release dates will also not be that big, Cuervo stressed. 

"Well, for sure... unless a meteorite falls," Cuervo joked. 

"The Winds of Winter" is the penultimate title in the series, with "A Dream of Spring" completing the seven-book anthology. It continues the saga of the different lives and characters in Westeros and Essos, and a war for the Iron Throne.

Meanwhile, in relation to both the books and the TV adaptation, it is rumored that Jon Snow, one of the iconic characters in the series, is alive and well. Fans were shocked when Snow appeared to have been killed in the epic finale of the fifth season of the hit TV series. However, in a recent interview with Dutch-language Belgian Humo (as reported by NewsEveryday), Kit Harington – who plays Jon Snow on the show — hinted that his character would appear in the next season.

Harington said, "I can't talk about that. Let's just say that 'Game of Thrones' will remain a part of my life for a while. I'll probably be in my thirties when it's over."