Winter Is Later

George R.R. Martin, the 76-year-old author behind Game of Thrones, has once again addressed growing frustration among fans over the prolonged wait for The Winds of Winter. While announcing a new creative project this week, he acknowledged the predictable backlash that often follows when he shares updates unrelated to his long-delayed novel.

In a blog post published Wednesday, Martin revealed he is producing an animated adaptation of A Dozen Tough Jobs, a novella by his late friend Howard Waldrop. The story, a reimagining of the Labours of Hercules set in Depression-era America, is being adapted for the screen by writer Joe R. Lansdale.

The announcement quickly reignited criticism from readers who have grown skeptical about the future of The Winds of Winter, the sixth book in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. The last installment, A Dance with Dragons, was released in 2011, and fans have been waiting ever since.

Anticipating the reaction, Martin confronted the complaints directly in his post: “Some of you will just be pissed off by this, as you are by everything I announce here that is not about Westeros or The Winds of Winter,” he wrote, referencing the often harsh feedback he receives.

He pushed back against claims that he no longer cares about the story or its characters, reiterating his deep connection to the world of Westeros and the fate of its inhabitants. Martin also pointed to his ongoing work on various projects, including editing the Wild Cards series and consulting on multiple HBO spinoffs.

Despite the delays, Martin insisted he remains focused on The Winds of Winter, though he admitted the writing process has been far more difficult than anticipated. In past interviews, he has described the book as a "big, big" and "challenging" volume, and has previously estimated that he is about three-quarters finished.

A seventh and final book, A Dream of Spring, is expected to follow, though no timelines have been confirmed. For now, Martin is asking readers to be patient — and to share in his excitement for his new ventures, even if they aren’t set in Westeros.