The anticipation of avid followers of George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series for its sixth book, "The Winds of Winter," has not died down especially because HBO will return with "Game of Thrones" ("GOT") season 7 later this year. Recent rumors regarding the book's release date suggest that it will arrive after the seventh season airs on HBO.

If anything, the upcoming season 7 has fueled further interest in the sequel as the new installment is supposed to be based on the TV series' content. However, Martin has always been very transparent about the status of "The Winds of Winter" and fans know very well that several factors have affected the writer's failure to meet his previous deadline. Aside from his busy schedule as co-executive producer of the "Game of Thrones" TV series, his age also has a lot to do with his speed in writing the book.

Other sources say that it is even possible the book will not come out in 2017. As a consolation, fans can look forward to another book slated for an October 2017 release that will contain several stories aside from that of Martin. It is believed that "Book of Swords" will feature Martin's story set in "Game of Thrones."

On his online journal, Martin revealed that his story in the book will be titled "The Sons of the Dragon," a story about Aenys and Maegor Targaryen. It is the same content that Martin has read to fans in several book conventions in the past years. The author also clarified that "Book of Swords" is not his. He also did not edit or co-edit its contents. He clarified that the book is put together by long-time anthologist and winner of the Hugo Award for Best Professional Editor, Gardner Dozois.

"'The Sons of the Dragon' came from the same place. Gardner asked me for a story. I told him I did not have the time to write a story. He asked if perhaps I had more like 'The Princess and the Queen' lying about. As it happened, I did. So I sent him 'The Sons of the Dragon'" he liked it, and there we are," said Martin.

Martin's story in "Book of Swords" will be joined by other promising stories form prolific writers and will include "The Best Man Wins" by K.J. Parker, "His Father's Sword" by Robin Hobb, "The Hidden Girl" by Ken Liu, "The Sword of Destiny" by Matthew Hughes, "'I Am a Handsome Man' Said Apollo Crow" by Kate Elliot, "The Triumph of Virtue" by Walter Jon Williams, "The Mocking Tower" by Daniel Abraham, and "The Colgrid Conundrum" by Rich Larson.