George R.R. Martin’s Humorous Nod to The Winds of Winter: “I Admit I’m 13 Years Late”

Renowned fantasy author George R.R. Martin made notable remarks about his writing process and the evolution of the genre during a discussion for his friend Joe Abercrombie’s new book, The Devils. The conversation, moderated by Becca Monet and streamed on YouTube, focused on The Devils but Martin’s witty comments about his long-delayed novel The Winds of Winter stole the spotlight. “I admit I’m 13 years late,” Martin quipped, acknowledging the delay with his characteristic humor.

Martin also playfully referenced fellow author and Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn’s autobiography, joking, “He wrote a book over the summer, which is deeply annoying; I haven’t finished mine in 13 years.” Throughout the discussion, Martin and Abercrombie delved into topics like romantic fantasy, modern genre transformations, and anti-predictable narratives. Martin emphasized his love for breaking conventional hero archetypes, noting that suspense and uncertainty create stronger connections with readers. While Martin offered no official release date for The Winds of Winter, it was mentioned that Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils is being adapted for the screen by James Cameron.