The author of the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' books, which the HBO series is based on, clarifies that he has not finished writing the sixth book, let alone the seventh book.

AceShowbiz - While "Game of Thrones" series finale is just around the corner, the "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series that inspired the TV series is nowhere near its conclusion. But reports recently surfaced that George R.R. Martin has completed the last two books in the series and an agreement with HBO prevented him from publishing them until the TV show is over.

Not letting the speculation spread around like wild fire, the 70-year-old writer let his fans know that he did not secretly complete the books and delay their release. Martin took to his blog on Monday, May 13 to clarify the rumors.

Slamming "internet journalism" as "an oxymoron," he wrote, "All of a sudden this crazy story about my finishing THE WINDS OF WINTER and A DREAM OF SPRING years ago is popping up everywhere. No, I am not going to provide links. I don't want to reward purveyors of misinformation with hits."

He added, "I will, however, say for the record - no, THE WINDS OF WINTER and A DREAM OF SPRING are not finished. DREAM is not even begun; I am not going to start writing volume seven until I finish volume six."

Claiming that the story didn't even make sense, Martin explained, "Why would I sit for years on completed novels? Why would my publishers - not just here in the US, but all around the world - ever consent to this? They make millions and millions of dollars every time a new Ice & Fire book comes out, as do I. Delaying makes no sense. Why would HBO want the books delayed? The books help create interest in the show, just as the show creates interest in the books."

"So... no, the books are not done," he insisted. "HBO did not ask me to delay them. Nor did David & Dan. There is no 'deal' to hold back on the books. I assure you, HBO and David & Dan would both have been thrilled and delighted if THE WINDS OF WINTER had been delivered and published four or five years ago... and NO ONE would have been more delighted than me."

He concluded his message with a reminder to his fans not to "believe everything you read on the internet," unless it's what he says on his blog himself.

The rumors that Martin has completed the final "A Song of Ice and Fire" books were started by "Thrones" actor Ian McElhinney, who played Ser Barristan Selmy until season 5 of the series. Speaking at Epic Con in Russia in late April, he said, "George has already written Books 6 and 7, and as far as he's concerned there only are seven books. But he struck an agreement with David and Dan, the showrunners on the series, that he would not publish the final two books until the series has completed. So if all goes well, in another month or two we might get Books 6 and 7."

The actor hinted that his character would have a significant role in the books as he continued sharing, "I'm intrigued to know how Barristan, for instance, ends up going through those final two books. George, I talked to him during season 1 and he did say to me that Barristan had a very interesting journey. But unfortunately I didn't get to play all of that, so we'll have to wait and see."

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