Earlier reports have suggested that 'Winds of Winter,' the upcoming sixth novel from the epic fantasy series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin, will not be released until 2017, and the author has his extremely busy schedule and travels to blame.

Martin's series has also inspired the massive HBO hit TV series 'Game of Thrones.' The Game of Thrones fever has plagued the world, causing the author to be invited to various events and speaking engagements.

However, Martin downplayed rumors, saying those are no updates at all for the upcoming 'Winds of Winter' book. In his recent appearance at 92^nd Street Y's theater in New York, he said that revelations at this point about this forthcoming novel might spoil the excitement.

Fans have been particularly eager to find out who are the parents of its lead character, Jon Snow. This has been one of the biggest mysteries in both the book and the television series.

The characters in Westeros believe that Snow is the child of Eddard Stark, but several theories have surfaced arguing that he is not Ned's bastard.

"I've not finished 'The Winds of Winter' yet, so maybe in that book, but if not then definitely in the next book," Martin said of the Snow revelation in a New York Post interview.

In another interview, the author teased fans with more deaths and action-filled storyline for the sixth and second to last installment of the seven-part series.

"I think we're gonna start out with a big smash with the two enormous battles," Martin told Entertainment Weekly.

Interestingly, The Independent has predicted that with Martin's current pace dropping to 250 words per day, there is a big likelihood that 'Winds of Winter' will be released by 2017, and not 2016 as expected earlier.