It’s difficult to see a silver lining in the turmoil and tragedy currently sweeping the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, but one such bright side comes in the form of a blog post from Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.
The writer, who is in the demographic most vulnerable to the effects of the virus, has elected to self-isolate and will be taking the opportunity to spend “more time in Westeros than in the real world, writing every day.” Martin has relocated to a remote location with only one other person and will not venture into town or visit with other people.
It is reassuring to hear that the author is proactively keeping himself safe, and fans will also undoubtedly be excited to learn that work on the sixth chapter of the epic Song of Ice and Fire saga is fully underway. It has been nine long years since the release of A Dance with Dragons in 2011 and, with the culmination of HBO’s Game of Thrones television adaptation leaving many viewers dissatisfied, demand for Martin’s official version of events has only grown.
The sixth book, The Winds of Winter, features the Others more prominently and takes readers further north than previous entries in the series. Over the years, 11 chapters from the upcoming novel have been released in the form of previews on Martin’s official website, sample chapters published in books, or readings by the author at public events. In total, Martin expects the manuscript to amount to approximately 1500 pages.
In addition to self-isolating, the Game of Thrones author will be taking steps to protect the public as well. He stated that with the increased need for quarantines and lockdowns, “reading is the best way to pass the empty hours.” For this reason, Martin’s bookstore Beastly Books will remain open as long as it is deemed safe, as will its mail order service for those who might need a few books to get through the next month or two.
Meow Wolf, the interactive fantasy art experience to which Martin has donated money in the past, closed on March 12 and all events, programming, and concerts are canceled until April 15. Choosing to err on the side of caution, the Jean Cocteau Cinema will also be closed, even though it rarely sees more patrons than the limit of 50 recently mandated by the New Mexico government. And the author’s nonprofit organization, Stagecoach Foundation, which holds classes and workshops for kids interested in careers in film and television, will also be temporarily shut down.
Martin closed his blog post by stating: “Let us hope we all come through this safe and sound. Stay well, my friends. Better to be safe than sorry.”
Source: George R.R. Martin’s Not a Blog