"The Winds of Winter" installment is reportedly pushed back further due to its author's slow pace writing and attendance to various big invites and events.
Avid fans of the previous installment are getting impatient for the release of the sixth sequel after waiting for over five years. Accordingly, fans are actually expecting delays as George RR Martin has always been known for his slow pace writing style, which almost always adds to excitement of fans.
In the latest update for "Winds of Winter," the publisher actually confirmed delays but reassured fans that it will not take another five years. They also confirmed that the book is still in writing process. AsiaStarz even said that the delay might just be a few days than the original schedule; however, ironically, there was no statement yet as to the original schedule of release from which the delay could be based.
As everyone expected the delay, the announcement of the publisher did not actually come as a surprise. Nevertheless, what shocked the readers most is the fact that the sequel is still in the writing stage, to think that they were looking for its release for this year.
In consolation, spoilers talked about the subjects that might be explored on "The Winds of Winter." Accordingly, the prevailing issue in the sixth sequel is insanity, which was previously touched on "A Storm of Swords." Consequently, the mother of dragons Daenerys will probably go mad for having lots of pressure in ascending to the iron throne. Her insanity is probably manifested as she will have the entire city of Westeros burned.
However, madness and insanity seems to be inherent in her bloodline, being the youngest child of her late father, King Aerys II Targaryen, who was also known as the "Mad King."
As fans are getting impatient for the delays in the release of "The Winds of Winter" book, some were even unimpressed when Martin was spotted in the last Balticon 2016, where he reportedly acquired a bug which caused him to take some time off writing in order to recover.
"The Winds of Winter" is expected to be finished prior to the premiere of "Game of Thrones" Season 7, although it's alarming that Martin's representatives cannot give the exact year of release, let alone its month and date.