For years, George R.R. Martin’s ‘The Winds of Winter’ has been both the most anticipated and most delayed fantasy novel in modern history. The sixth installment in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire saga has been in the works for over a decade.
However, while the author has remained steadfast in promising to finish it, fan impatience has only grown louder with time. That frustration boiled over in an ugly way during Martin’s recent appearance at Seattle Worldcon 2025, where he was confronted by an audience member during a panel.
Fans Rallied Behind George R.R. Martin After The Offensive Comment
The incident unfolded during a panel featuring George R.R. Martin and fellow fantasy author Brandon Sanderson. While Martin has grown accustomed to questions about ‘The Winds of Winter’ over the years, this particular interaction crossed a line. One audience member bluntly told the 76-year-old author, “You’re not going to be around for much longer,” before asking if someone like Sanderson might eventually step in to finish the book.
Related: “Stress Kept Mounting”: George R.R. Martin Blames TV For Slowing Down ‘The Winds Of Winter’ Progress
The remark drew immediate boos from the crowd, with many attendees visibly upset by the inappropriate question. Panel hosts quickly attempted to regain control of the session, and Sanderson himself (known for stepping in to finish Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series after the author’s death) steered the moment away from further hostility by defending Martin. The panel wrapped shortly afterward. However, the tone had clearly shifted.
On social media, fans were quick to condemn the incident. They described the moment as “hard to watch.” Many commenters expressed embarrassment at how Martin had been treated, with some even suggesting such hostility. People on social media called the behavior disgusting and unacceptable. While fans may be frustrated by delays, attacking the author personally is a step too far. In the hours following the panel, attendees reported seeing Martin signing books and greeting readers, suggesting that the author wasn’t deterred by the incident.
George R.R. Martin’s Update Confirms ‘Game Of Thrones’ Universe Is More Alive Than Ever
For all the negativity surrounding ‘The Winds of Winter’, it’s important to remember that George R.R. Martin has given fans far more than one unfinished book. His A Song of Ice and Fire novels redefined modern fantasy, spawning HBO’s record-breaking ‘Game of Thrones’ and its spinoffs. Even in the absence of the long-awaited sixth volume, Westeros has continued to thrive on-screen through ‘House of the Dragon‘ and the upcoming prequel, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’.
In case you missed it: “I Don’t Know If I’ll Finish”: George R.R. Martin Expresses Doubt About Finishing ‘The Winds Of Winter’
In fact, Martin recently gave fans the kind of update that sparked renewed excitement. Writing on his Not a Blog, Martin announced that he will appear at New York Comic Con 2025 to introduce ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’, HBO’s adaptation of his beloved Dunk and Egg novellas. The series will star Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, with Martin joining showrunner Ira Parker and the cast for a special panel on October 9.
“We’re excited to announce GRRM will be headed to New York Comic Con this October to introduce the new HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” the blog post read. Fans immediately latched onto the update. While the show has been delayed to 2026, Martin’s active role in promoting it reassures fans that he remains deeply invested in the future of Westeros. With ‘House of the Dragon’ already renewed through season 3 and ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ on the horizon, the ‘Game of Thrones’ franchise is more alive than ever, despite the controversy swirling around ‘The Winds of Winter’.
