Author George R. R. Martin has confirmed he's missed the last deadline for his latest book, which would allow it to be published before the new series of ‘Game of Thrones’ begins. Martin had a December 31st deadline to meet, but his failure to have his book completed on time means that ‘Game of Thrones’ sixth season will air before its source material is released.

George R R MartinGeorge R R Martin has missed the deadline for his latest book.

‘The Winds of Winter' is not finished,’ Martin began a post on his official blog. ‘Believe me, it gave me no pleasure to type those words. You're disappointed, and you're not alone. My editors and publishers are disappointed, HBO is disappointed, my agents and foreign publishers and translators are disappointed... but no one could possibly be more disappointed than me.’

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‘For months now I have wanted nothing so much as to be able to say, "I have completed and delivered The Winds Of Winter" on or before the last day of 2015. But the book's not done. Nor is it likely to be finished tomorrow, or next week.'

‘The book is not done, not delivered. No words can change that. I tried, I promise you. I failed. I blew the Halloween deadline, and I've now blown the end of the year deadline. And that almost certainly means that no, 'The Winds Of Winter' will not be published before the sixth season of 'Game of Thrones' premieres in April.’

However although the new series will air before fans get the chance to read the book, Martin has assured them that it shouldn’t ruin their enjoyment of the novel when it is finally released. ‘Look, I read Andy Weir’s novel The Martian before I saw the movie. But I saw the BBC production of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell before I finally got around to reading Susanna Clarke’s novel.'

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‘In both cases, I loved the book and I loved the adaptation. It does not need to be one or the other. You might prefer one over the other, but you can still enjoy the hell out of both,’ the author added. The sixth series of ‘Game of Thrones’ is due to premiere on HBO in April.