'The Winds of Winter' Release Date & Spoilers: George R. R. Martin Reveals No Sixth Book For Now – But 20th-Anniversary Edition of 'A Game of Thrones' Coming This October
George R. R. Martin is set to release a new book this October, but not "The Winds of Winter," the much-awaited sixth novel of "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. The bestselling author announced that a new edition of the first book "A Game of Thrones" will be hitting bookstores as part of its 20th anniversary celebration.
'A Game of Thrones' Turned 20
Martin announced through his live blog that "A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition" will be released by Bantam Spectra on Oct. 18, 2016. The special edition is in line with the 20th anniversary of the first novel of "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, which was published on Aug. 1, 1996.
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"It has been a helluva twenty years, twenty years that have transformed my life and career, twenty years during which the novel has never been out of print. And something like that has to be commemorated," the 67-year-old novelist wrote.
"A Game of Thrones" was adapted by HBO into a television series in 2011. Since then, the "Game of Thrones" series turned into a pop culture phenomenon, engaging millions of viewers and followers worldwide.
'A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition' Details
"An anniversary like this requires something special, something more than just a reprint and a new novel," Martin stated. He added that while the new edition of "A Game of Thrones" follows the same story, it will be special because of some additions.
According to Comicbook.com, "A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition" will feature an introduction from John Hodgman, as well as, 73 black and white interior illustrations, and full color plates. Some of the illustrations were already shown in the previous "The World of Ice and Fire" calendars, but there will be 48 never-seen-before pieces.
How About 'The Winds of Winter'?
Martin shared on his live blog that his life has changed in the past 20 years. He said that he has bigger crowds now and his novels have appeared in the bestseller lists of some countries.
He narrated that he initially thought that "A Song of Ice and Fire" story could be told in three books and could be finished in three years. He added that little did he imagine that he would be spending the past two decades writing more novels about the series.
"But here I am, twenty years later... still working on book six [The Winds of Winter]," Martin disclosed. "And no, sorry, I have no announcement to make on that front," he concluded.
It can be recalled that the "Game of Thrones" Season 6 premiered in April and ended in June this year with no book from Martin to base from. The Season 7 of the cult hit will return to HBO in summer 2017, per EW.
