A bookshop has drawn the attention of fans across various social networks after listing the latest entry in the Song of Ice and Fire series on its list of books to look forward to in 2018.
Interestingly, the Strand Bookstore allegedly published a date: September 6.
This has since been removed, and in its place it says “fingers crossed!” (as in, fingers crossed the book is released in 2018 at all).
But the gaffe was there for long enough to catch fans’ attention – so was it legitimate, and has the bookstore leaked the date early? Or is it all a big misunderstanding?
As has been pointed out by users on Reddit, George R R Martin has stressed several times that he will be the one to announce himself when the book is finished.
Given that he hasn’t made such a declaration, can we assume that the book is still not yet finished – and therefore, that no release date is set?
These dates do emerge from time to time, and all have thus far been proven to be false. So the possibility is very strong that this was merely a typo or a gaffe on the part of Strand.
But still, given that Martin hinted over New Year that Winds of Winter would surface in 2018, it’s certainly not a total impossibility.
The book series, which spawned the HBO smash Game of Thrones, still has two books to go before it is officially done.
Martin has made no secret of the fact he is a “slow writer”, and the TV show overtook his books’ storylines some time ago.
Its final season is due to air next year.