George R.R. Martin Officially Confirms Why 'The Winds of Winter' Is 10+ Years Delayed

George R. R. Martin has offered a personal explanation for why updates on The Winds of Winter have slowed. In a post on Not a Blog, the author apologized for being absent from blogging and said 2026 has been among the toughest years he has faced. Martin described grief and depression, along with pressures tied to getting older, saying he has “lost friends” and is battling sadness, with “the worst may be yet to come.” While he didn’t directly confirm the book’s status, his message implies the workload and life difficulties are affecting his ability to finish. Martin also noted he turned 77 last September.