Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe good news about The Winds of Winter is that George R. R. Martin is still working on it—and that the manuscript is already enormous. The bad news is that the novel remains unpublished, no release date has been confirmed, and a 2026 release rumor was explicitly rejected by Bantam Books.
The good news about The Winds of Winter is that George R. R. Martin is still working on it—and that the manuscript is already enormous. The bad news is that the novel remains unpublished, no release date has been confirmed, and a 2026 release rumor was explicitly rejected by Bantam Books.
A recent report put the manuscript at approximately 1,100 pages in draft form. That sounds encouraging, but Martin is still rewriting and struggling with the book. The evidence supports “substantial progress,” not “nearly finished,” “coming this year,” or “ready for publication.”
What the “good news” actually means
The positive update behind the headline is about continued work and the scale of the novel. In remarks reported in 2025, Martin described The Winds of Winter as “a big, big book.” The latest reporting likewise indicates that he has written roughly 1,100 pages, although those pages remain subject to revision.
#1 Best Overall
That distinction is important. A large page count is not the same as a completed manuscript. It does not tell readers how much of the final book remains to be written, how much material may be discarded, or when editing and production could begin. Martin’s earlier comments about the project made the same point: he could be working long hours, finishing chapters, and making steady progress without being able to promise that the book would be finished soon.
So the defensible version of the headline is simple: Martin continues to work on The Winds of Winter, and the book may be unusually large. It is not a release announcement.
The latest status of The Winds of Winter
As of August 13, 2026, The Winds of Winter is still listed as forthcoming from Bantam Books. Martin’s official bibliography also lists A Dream of Spring as forthcoming after it.
A May 2026 report said Martin had written approximately 1,100 pages, but emphasized that he was still rewriting the material. That makes the number useful as a sign of substantial drafting, not as a completion percentage. There is no reliable basis for claims that the novel is 75 percent finished, almost ready, or at a particular stage of publication.
Martin’s latest blog activity does not change that assessment. After a lengthy gap, an early-August 2026 post discussed other Westeros-related work and a difficult year, but did not provide a new Winds of Winter release date or a definitive progress report.
Bantam denied the 2026 release rumor
Online claims in April 2026 said that The Winds of Winter would be published later that year. On April 14, 2026, Bantam Books, Martin’s U.S. publisher, said the supposed leak was false.
That clarification should be treated as a debunking, not as a hidden announcement or a date that was merely postponed. No official source located for this update confirms a 2026 publication.
What has not been announced
Readers should be cautious whenever a post treats a page count or an optimistic comment as proof that publication is imminent. The current evidence does not establish any of the following:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- a completed manuscript;
- a confirmed publication date;
- a cover reveal;
- a preorder listing tied to an official date;
- a copy-editing or typesetting announcement; or
- a genuine publisher leak.
The most accurate status remains: The Winds of Winter is forthcoming, Martin is still working on the manuscript, and its release date is unknown.
Rank #4
- Games Workshop - Black Library - Warhammer - Age of Sigmar - First Marshal (HardBack)
- A Warhammer Age of Sigmar novel that fights fire with fire
- The Cities of Sigmar take a stand against the Helsmiths of Hashut - Can First Marshal Tahlia Vedra rally her troops to defend Hammerhal Ghyra from their assault?
- For ages 14+
- Printed Material
Why the wait matters to A Song of Ice and Fire fans
The Winds of Winter is planned as the sixth novel in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. It is not intended to be the final book: A Dream of Spring is listed as the seventh and subsequent forthcoming novel.
The five published novels are:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
A Dance with Dragons was published in 2011, meaning the next installment now follows a 15-year gap as of 2026. The long wait is especially significant because even the planned arrival of The Winds of Winter would not complete the saga; another novel is still expected afterward.
What can fans read while they wait?
For anyone who wants to revisit the story, the five-book A Song of Ice and Fire boxed set collects the currently published novels, from A Game of Thrones through A Dance with Dragons. It does not include The Winds of Winter, but it is a practical way to reread the saga or catch up on the books rather than relying only on the television adaptation.
Fans looking beyond the main narrative can also explore The World of Ice & Fire, a companion history of the setting, or The Lands of Ice and Fire, a collection of maps. Neither book provides a publication update or serves as a substitute for the unreleased novel; they are optional additions for readers interested in Westerosi history, geography, and world-building.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line
George R. R. Martin has delivered a reason for cautious optimism: The Winds of Winter remains an active project, and a reported 1,100 pages of draft material suggest that substantial work exists. But the manuscript is still being rewritten, and Bantam Books denied the 2026 release rumor on April 14.
Best Value
Until Martin or Bantam announces otherwise, the honest headline is not that The Winds of Winter is coming soon. It is that the book is still in progress—and still has no confirmed publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Winds of Winter coming out in 2026?
No. As of August 13, 2026, The Winds of Winter has no confirmed publication date. Bantam Books denied online claims that it would be released in 2026.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How many pages of The Winds of Winter has George R. R. Martin written?
A May 2026 report said Martin had written approximately 1,100 pages, but the material was still being rewritten. That figure does not establish a completion percentage or release timetable.
Does the A Song of Ice and Fire five-book boxed set include The Winds of Winter?
No. The five-book set contains A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. It does not include The Winds of Winter.
The Bottom Line
The Winds of Winter is still being written and reportedly has about 1,100 pages in draft form, but rewriting continues. Bantam Books denied the 2026 release rumor, and no official publication date has been announced.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
