George RR Martin raises Game of Thrones fans' hopes with hint about when to expect long-awaited new book The Winds of Winter

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

The time it takes Game of Thrones author George RR Martin to write new books has long been a bone of contention for fans but now, he has raised hopes by hinting at when we might see the next one.

The 66-year-old novelist has been working on the sixth instalment of his A Song of Ice and Fire series for four years, with readers last getting fresh material in 2011’s A Dance With Dragons.

As impatience grows among Martin’s devoted fanbase, he has decided to cut back on attending public events to concentrate on writing.

“I have too much to do, too many things on my plate,” he said on his blog. “I was [at the World Fantasy Convention] the last time it was held in Saratoga and I had a great time.

“This year the convention is returning once again and I was hoping to return as well. Reluctantly, however, I’ve just had to scratch Saratoga off my list of 2015 appearances. I have also decided against attending this year’s San Diego Comicon. Same reason.”

Then, just before signing off, Martin lifted the very hearts he’d just made drop.

“Should I complete and deliver The Winds of Winter before these cons roll round, I reserve the right to change my mind,” he wrote.

Martin’s US publisher told The Hollywood Reporter that he is “indeed focusing on his writing” but did not comment on when she expected the book. Jane Johnson has previously said that it will not be released this year.

Comic Con is scheduled for July and the World Fantasy Convention for early November. Surely if Martin was nowhere close to finishing the book he wouldn’t have made that final comment? He’s a man of mystery, but he’s just got a lot of people very excited.

In the meantime, you’ve got Game of Thrones due back on small screens for season five on Sunday 12 April. It has its world premiere at the Tower of London tonight.