‘The Winds Of Winter’ Release Date, Updates, Latest News: George R.R. Martin Fans Express Loyalty To ‘ASOIF’ Author Over ‘TWOW?’

"Game Of Thrones" creator George R.R. Martin raised massive excitement with "The Winds Of Winter" ("TWOW") by merit of the elusive release date of the sixth "A Song Of Ice And Fire" ("ASOIF") novel. Still, a bulk of George R.R. Martin fans remain loyal to the "Game Of Thrones" author as they wait for confirmation on "The Winds Of Winter" release date.

While fans of the "Game Of Thrones" series on HBO have explosive episodes coming in Season 7 and Season 8, a large number of George R.R. Martin fans opted out of the "A Song Of Ice And Fire" saga adaptation.

Now On Sale https://t.co/wYoCpCbzn7

— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) October 19, 2016

Among these are those to whom Bustle refers as George R.R. Martin "purists" - "ASOIF" fans who refused to see the "Game Of Thrones" series from the very beginning. More are adding to the number - "ASOIF" fans, who now stick to their guns and refuse to see more episodes of "Game Of Thrones" until after "The Winds Of Winter" and "A Dream Of Spring" have been safely launched and sold.

This is more especially so with "Game Of Thrones" revealing resolutions to the main arc of "A Song Of Ice And Fire" in chunks come Season 7 and Season 8. The issue of "The Winds Of Winter" release date is drawing the lines between "ASOIF" and "Game Of Thrones" fans more clearly.

Who could blame these branches of the George R.R. Martin fandom? Fans of "A Song Of Ice And Fire" have been journeying 20 years now with George R.R. Martin to conclude "ASOIF" with his closing plots in "The Winds Of Winter" and "A Dream Of Spring."

HBO may see a massive drop of viewership in "Game Of Thrones" Season 7, now that the episodes will be condensations of the major unveilings that "The Winds Of Winter" and "A Dream Of Spring" will relate. While initial assessments may have thought George R.R. Martin in a quandary because "Game Of Thrones" has overtaken "The Winds Of Winter," the situation may be the other way around.

"Game Of Thrones" showrunners may have painted themselves in a corner because of the proportion of George R.R. Martin fans who prefer to preserve the suspense of "The Winds Of Winter" and "Dream Of Spring." Still and all George R.R. Martin could surprise "ASOIF" fans with a release of "The Winds Of Winter" by 2017 leaving the "Game Of Thrones" Season 8 release date another story for another day.

Do you see "The Winds Of Winter" releasing in 2017 or do you George R.R. Martin will release the sixth "ASOIF" book in 2018? Share your thoughts here!