The winds of winter are blowing cold across the Northern Hemisphere but is there finally hope to warm fans’ hearts? Previously, Martin declared that Book 6 would definitely be released before World Con in New Zealand next summer. But what about much sooner? A clever fan spotted a huge clue on the author’s blog, which combines with a huge recent revelation.
On December 5 an eagle-eyed Redditor spotted something hugely exciting.
Ser Dunk the Lunk posted on ASOIAF Reddit: “TheWindsofWinter.com is no longer being squatted. The DNS records were updated as recently as this morning.
“After many years of apparently being squatted, http://thewindsofwinter.com changed ownership on 11/24. The IP address now points to a small hosting company outside Vancouver.”
Decoding the technical babble, this basically means the web domain called Winds of Winter has just been bought from the clever soul who nabbed it presumably before publishers or anyone else though to do so.
This points powerfully to the imminent need for the domain to be in the right hands if the book is about to be released. But that’s not all.
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Another Redditor has been studying Martin’s blogs and is convinced his sudden long silence reveals major news is on the way.
Orpheus1947 wrote: “The fact that he has not posted for almost two weeks, along with all the other recent evidence, and the fact that he seems to be at home right now, indicates to me that an announcement is upcoming. I predict by this month.”
The evidence is that Martin usually blogs very regularly when he is at home.
He is widely believed to be back home after spending much of the autumn travelling in the US and abroad at conventions and to collect awards.
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Game of Thrones: What happens to the Starks in Winds of Winter? (Image: HBO )
After posting on November 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 22 and 23 the author has gone silent.
This is almost unprecedented, even if he is travelling. Some fans pointed out Martin usually blogs about his football team, The New York Jets, but they are having a very bad season so he may have less to say.
However, most are still erring on the side of caution about book news. As we enter the ninth year with no new release in the main saga, readers have simply been burned too many times by getting their hopes up.
Martin, himself, has given some major boosts to fans recently, though.
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Talking about his involvement with the next HBO adaptation, House of the Dragon, he blogged: “Let me make this perfectly clear… I am not taking on any scripts until I have finished and delivered WINDS OF WINTER.
“Winter is still coming, and WINDS remains my priority, as much as I’d love to write an episode of HOUSE (of the Dragon).”
More damning is the record so far of when each book has been released which points to the longest possible wait next year.
Every single book in the series so far has been released in late summer or autumn. The first four books were released in August, November, August and October of their respective years.
A Dance With Dragons was the earliest released in any year, coming out in July 2011. Expect The Winds of Winter to blow into bookshops around that time also.
Martin may have gone silent because he is indeed finally completing the manuscript.
However, it will then require some months of editing and production before the book hits shelves. Most likely, squeaking in just before World Con on July 29, 2020.
