Fans Misled by Fake Winds of Winter Leak

A fresh wave of excitement swept through the A Song of Ice and Fire fandom this week—only to collapse just as quickly. A viral “leak” claiming long-awaited progress on The Winds of Winter has now been officially debunked, leaving fans exactly where they have been for years: waiting.

The rumor began circulating on social media on April 13, fueled by a post attributed to an account named “Ned Stark.” It included what appeared to be a behind-the-scenes screenshot from a Bantam Spectra production assistant. According to the post, George R.R. Martin had supposedly completed the manuscript in January 2026, clocking in at around 1,600 pages. It further claimed the book was slated for a holiday 2026 release, with a formal announcement planned for San Diego Comic-Con, and even suggested Martin had been instructed to go silent online to build anticipation.

For a fanbase accustomed to years of uncertainty, the details were convincing enough to gain traction quickly. But the story did not hold up under scrutiny.

Bantam Books, Martin’s longtime publisher, moved swiftly to shut it down. In a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly and other outlets, a representative was unequivocal: “The online chatter you are seeing regarding a supposed leak is false.” The publisher also confirmed there is still no official release date for The Winds of Winter.

That leaves the actual status of the book unchanged. In his most recent update from January 2026, Martin said he has written roughly 1,100 to 1,200 pages. While that figure has remained relatively consistent in recent years, he has noted that the manuscript continues to evolve as he revises and restructures major sections.

There are hints of progress, but nothing definitive. In an interview earlier this year with The Hollywood Reporter, Martin said he believes he could finish the book “pretty soon”—provided he can focus and set aside other commitments. At the same time, he acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining momentum on a project of this scale, admitting that he is sometimes “not in the mood” to tackle it.

Those other commitments remain substantial. Martin is currently involved in promoting The Mad King, a stage production by the Royal Shakespeare Company centered on the Tourney at Harrenhal, which is scheduled to premiere this summer. Like many of his side projects, it has drawn both interest and frustration from fans eager for progress on the main series.