'Game Of Thrones' Will Run For 7 Seasons, But When Will ‘Winds Of Winter’ Be Released?

"Game of Thrones" fan have been on an emotional roller coaster following season 3 on HBO. In episode 9, "Rains of Castemere" we watched as the Freys slaughtered Robb, Catelyn, Talisa during the Red Wedding. We wanted a happy ending for sweet Arya, but instead she was left alone with only the Hound for company. Then once fans came to grips with the deaths of the noble Starks, the season finale left us stunned desperately anticipating the start of season 4.

So what is next for "Game of Thrones"? If you are like me then you are waiting every day for the release of the sixth book, "Winds of Winter," but really when will it be released? Will I ever learn what is going on in Westeros while we have been away? Who sits on the Iron Throne? Where are the dragons?

George R.R. Martin is currently busy writing "Winds of Winter," in October of 2012 Martin stated, "I've already written 400 pages of my sixth book and I really look forward to publishing it in 2014, but I am really bad for predictions."

However, even more recently Martin was on Conan and he revealed that he's writing very quickly, and is more conscious than ever of the HBO show catching up to him. It seems that while Martin is aware that he does not want the show to catch up to him he also does not want his writing to suffer. "When I finish this saga I will be judged for the quality of the books, not for the speed of my writing."

I agree, so let's not push him to much!

The motiviating factor behind the "Winds of Winter" speed is the show, however Clash of Kings and Storm of Swords both took only two years to write, so that's another good sign. Martin told Airlock Alpha, "I am aware of the TV series moving along behind me like a giant locomotive, and I know I need to lay the track more quickly, perhaps, because the locomotive is soon going to be bearing down on me. The last thing I want is for the TV series to catch up with me. I've got a considerable head start, but production is moving faster than I can write. I'm hoping that we'll finish the story at about the same time ... we'll see."

What do you mean we'll see? George come on? I need my books! I am lost without Westeros, and what would happen if the axis flipped and then TV-show watchers knew more than book-readers! Oh the horror!

Luckily though "Game of Thrones" is set to run for about 7 season, the fantasy series picked up the Radio Times Audience Award at the BAFTA TV Awards and while speaking back stage at the ceremony, producer Frank Vogler has indicated that the show could run for a further four seasons! "[The number of seasons] is being discussed as we speak," said Vogler to The Radio Times. "The third season was the first half of book three, season four will be the second part of book three. George R.R. Martin has written books four and five; six and seven are pending. I would hope that, if we all survive, and if the audience stays with us we'll probably get through to seven seasons."