“I don’t feel happy”: George R.R. Martin Opens Up About The Winds of Winter Delay

At New York Comic Con 2025, George R.R. Martin addressed the long shadow cast by The Winds of Winter—the long-delayed sixth installment in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Speaking with a mix of humor and frustration, Martin offered a rare, unfiltered look into the emotional weight of missing deadlines and fan expectations.

Quick read:

•  Martin said, “I don’t feel happy breaching contracts or missing a deadline.”
•  He joked, “I’m not going to die until I see the Jets and Giants in the Subway Super Bowl.”
•  No release date yet, but his NYCC remarks blended honesty with humor.

George R.R. Martin isn’t happy about missing deadlines

Martin admitted the delays have weighed heavily on him. “I know there’s all this controversy about ‘Winds of Winter’ and how late it is, but I’ve always had trouble with deadlines. I don’t feel happy breaching contracts or missing a deadline or anything like that,” he said during the panel. His words struck a chord with longtime readers who’ve waited since 2011’s A Dance with Dragons for the next chapter in Westeros.

While Martin didn’t offer a release date, his tone was one of accountability—tempered with his trademark wit.

George R.R. Martin isn’t dying anytime soon

Fellow author Joe Hill lightened the mood by joking that Martin could answer if the Giants keep winning. Martin responded with a grin: “People are speculating, am I going to die soon before (I finish the books)? I’m not going to die until I see the Jets and the Giants in the Subway Super Bowl. I think that means I live forever!”

The line drew laughter from the crowd, blending sports futility with publishing delays in classic Martin fashion. While fans may still be waiting, Martin’s NYCC appearance reminded everyone that behind the dragons and dynasties is a writer navigating legacy, pressure, and the long road to completion.

Quick read: George R.R. Martin Says He Listens to Critics – Especially When They Talk About the Small Folk