'Winds of Winter' Release Date Rumors: George R.R. Martin Takes to Blog to Clarify Book's Rumored Launch
Fans of the "Game of Thrones" books and TV series were all abuzz with excitement when creator George R.R. Martin recently took to Twitter to post several "Game of Thrones" memes with the hashtag, #12daysofwesteros. According to USA Today, the hashtag made fans think that this was a countdown to Martin's much anticipated book, the sixth installment in the GOT series titled "Winds of Winter."
The author tweeted the following from Dec. 10 to Dec. 16:
"On the first day…House Tully came bearing gifts #12DaysofWesteros"
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"On the second day…House Greyjoy ran out of power…"
"On the third day…the Freys decorated their tree."
"On the fourth day…House Bolton entertained their neighbors."
"On the fifth day…House Arryn got into the spirit…"
"On the sixth day…the Tyrells were all class…"
To clarify the rumors, Martin posted a message on Dec. 12 and wrote, "#12DaysofWesteros is NOT a countdown to the release of [Winds of Winter], we're sorry for those who were misled, just spreading Christmas cheer."
Martin took to his blog to elaborate, and explained how the hashtag came about.
"A few weeks ago, Raya came to me and said the folks at Random House wanted to do a special promotion on Twitter, 'Twelve Days of Christmas' with a Westerosi twist … It sounded fun, and funny, so I said sure, and thought no more of it. It was just a little Christmas celebration," he wrote.
The author then went on the offensive and said that the rumor about 12Days being a countdown to the publication of "Winds of Winter" was not true.
"Sorry. Not true. Look, I've said it before and I will say again, I don't play games with news about the books. I know how many people are waiting, how long they have been waiting, how anxious they are. I am still working on WINDS. When it's done, I will announce it here," Martin continued.
Martin also revealed that there will be no "clues to decipher, any codes or hidden meanings" when he announces the book's date of publication.
"When it is done, I will say that it is done, on whatever day I happen to finish. I don't know how I can make it any clearer," the author added.
