‘The Winds of Winter’ Release Date: After Missing Deadlines, Will George RR Martin Finally Fulfill His Promise of New Publishing Date?

“The Winds of Winter” finally has a release date and this is legit as it was the book’s author George RR Martin himself who set the publishing date. He also announced this for everyone to know but it was a unique announcement because it was actually a response to an advertisement that was directed to him.

Yes, “The Winds of Winter” is coming and fans could not contain their happiness as they have been assured that the book will be on bookstores soon after many delays. For those who are not aware, what prompted the author to suddenly declare a deadline for the sixth book in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel series is an ad made by New Zealand Air.

Through a promo video, the airline offered free tickets for Martin to visit New Zealand. The invitation was extended to him in an effort to give him the right atmosphere to finish “The Winds of Winter” already since it has been more than seven years since its first due date was announced.

As fans continue to wait, the airline wants to push George RR Martin to complete “The Winds of Winter” soon thus the ad achieved two things for its unique promotion. First it promoted New Zealand as a serene country with amazing views and weather and second, it made Martin to suddenly set a deadline for “TWOW.”

“We’ve noticed that between red carpets and talk show interviews you’re having a bit of trouble finishing your next ‘Game of Thrones’ book, ‘The Winds of Winter,’” the narrator in the promo clip said. “The novel that the world is, let’s face it mate, absolutely fanging for now more than ever. Fortunately, we have the perfect solution - an epic trip to New Zealand on us.”

George RR Martin responded and it was surprising that he set the due date for “The Winds of Winter” in 2020. The author seems to target the month of July, the time when he will visit New Zealand to attend the World Science Fiction Convention.

“I fear that New Zealand would distract me entirely too much. Best leave me here in Westeros for the nonce,” Martin wrote in his own blogsite. “But I tell you this - if I don’t have The Winds of Winter in hand when I arrive in New Zealand for Worldcon, you have here my formal written permission to imprison me in a small cabin on White Island, overlooking that lake of sulfuric acid, until I’m done.”

Martin clearly promised to release “The Winds of Winter” in July 2020 so fans can look forward to this. No more delays this time or the author would be put to jail.