George R.R. Martin confirms The Winds of Winter won’t arrive this fall

In a recent statement, Bantam Books, the publisher of the popular A Song of Ice and Fire series, confirmed that the long-awaited The Winds of Winter will not be released this fall. The news came after rumors circulated about author George R.R. Martin supposedly having finished the manuscript.

Rumors and expectations

Fan speculation picked up after social media posts claimed Martin had submitted a manuscript in January, with plans to announce it at San Diego Comic-Con. The rumors also suggested a marketing campaign with HBO was being lined up for the book’s release, sparking a wave of excitement among loyal Game of Thrones readers.

Reactions were mixed, with some fans expressing skepticism while others held out hope. One fan said, "This is the fakest thing I’ve ever seen, but my soul needs it, so I’m fully in." Even so, the excitement ultimately proved unfounded.

Denial from Bantam Books

Bantam Books issued a formal statement on April 13, 2026, to shut down the rumors as false. A representative for the publisher told Entertainment Weekly: "The online gossip about a supposed leak is false." While disappointing for many fans, the news wasn’t exactly surprising given the repeated delays in Martin’s writing process.

The status of The Winds of Winter

George R.R. Martin has also addressed fans’ concerns himself. He acknowledged last October that he still intends to finish the novel. However, Martin also said that if he is unable to complete the story before he dies, no one else will write it. That has only fueled ongoing speculation about the book’s progress.

For now, fans continue to wait for more news and updates on The Winds of Winter, while George R.R. Martin remains focused on his creative process.