George R. R. Martin Misses Latest Book Deadline, Internet Forgives The 'Game of Thrones' television show has now outpaced its source materials.

By Carly Okyle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Game of Thrones | HBO

Winter is coming, albeit late.

George R.R. Martin, the author of the book series that spawned television's popular fantasy drama Game of Thrones on HBO, announced on his LiveJournal page this weekend that he failed to meet his Dec. 31, 2015 deadline to finish his novel The Winds of Winter.

The bearded scribe, who uses an old-school DOS machine to write, said he knows he let his fans down. "You're disappointed, and you're not alone...but no one could possibly be more disappointed than me."

"But the book's not done," he continued. "Nor is it likely to be finished tomorrow, or next week. Yes, there's a lot written. Hundreds of pages. Dozens of chapters….But there's also a lot still left to write. I am months away still... and that's if the writing goes well."

Related: Books Are the New Business Card

This is the second deadline for the novel's completion that Martin has missed. The first was October 31, 2015. With the sixth season of Game of Thrones set to air in April, Martin's publishers wanted the latest installment of the A Song of Ice and Fire series to be on shelves by March. The author admitted to fans of the story -- both in written and televised form -- that there may be some aspects of the novels that are spoiled by seeing the acted adaptation first, but also acknowledged how the story differs between the two mediums.

The Internet's response was surprisingly compassionate. While many have complained about the series' delay in the past -- once prompting fellow author Neil Gaiman to tell a reader, "George R. R. Martin is not your bitch" -- the reaction to the latest announcement has been kind.

Martin was grateful. "There were forty pages of screened comments on the post by the time I logged on this morning," he said in a LiveJournal post entitled "Thanks."

Martin did not give a timeline for when he expects The Winds of Winter to be completed.

Related: 5 Quirks That Contribute to Success

Carly Okyle

Assistant Editor, Contributed Content

Carly Okyle is an assistant editor for contributed content at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

What's Open on Easter Sunday? Costco and Target Will Close, But One Major Retailer Will Be Open. Here's What To Know.

The stock market was closed for Good Friday on April 18. Here's what's closed for Easter Sunday, April 20.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Side Hustle

This Couple Started a Side Hustle to Improve a 'Terribly Made' Bathroom Essential. Now the Business Earns More Than $3 Million a Year.

Michael Fine and Lisa Schulner-Fine launched lifestyle brand Quiet Town in 2016 and have been growing it ever since.

Living

The 3 Lifestyle Habits That Made Me Sharper, Stronger and More Successful

These three simple yet powerful lifestyle changes transformed my productivity, energy and mindset. Here's how you can do the same.

Social Media

With This LinkedIn Algorithm Change, Your Best Posts Could Reach New Readers for Months

It's one of many new features rolling out on the platform in 2024.

Business Solutions

You and Your Kids Can Develop Future-Proof Tech Skills for Only $56

Develop future-proof tech skills even if you have no previous tech experience, such as data storytelling, Python, ChatGTP, Internet of Things and more.