The highly popular book and television series, 'Game of Thrones', has garnered fans from around the world. Its author George R.R. Martin is currently working on the addition to the series of books, the 'Winds of Winter'.

Remember, Martin, is notorious for his slower writing speed when it comes to releasing new additions to the series. The age of the author, 65, also factors in heavily in terms of fear that the book will never be completed. Some fans go as far as worrying that Martin will die before the book is finished. There has even been an instance where Martin was asked whether he would live long enough to see the book's completion and subsequent release.

The author answered the question with a strong and rude gesture, issuing a big "F**k you". Naturally, Martin was offended by the question, but his spokesperson said that the answer was not directed to fans, but to the interviewer himself.

Still, some fans are impatient with Martin for not finishing the addition fast enough. Some even fear that he might suffer the fate of another fantasy world writer, Robert Jordan, where he was unable to finish his series before succumbing to death due to an illness.

As for the release of the next book, Martin might be giving some hints about a likely launch in an exclusive event on August 19, together with Robin Hobb in London. However, the hints are still highly unlikely to be substantial, as the event is focused on the launch of Hobb's newest book, 'Fool's Assassin'.

The event is speculated to have a massive audience and will mostly be a conversation between the two authors regarding their thoughts on Hobb's book. On a brighter note, fans have not dispelled the possibility of Martin revealing a hint on when 'Winds of Winter' will likely be released.