livestream<\/a> arranged by his publisher, Random House, explaining that it is truly mammoth in scale, even when compared to the chunky preceding entries.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s a big, big book, I\u2019ve said that before,\u201d he began. \u201cIt\u2019s a challenging book. It\u2019s probably gonna be a larger book than any of the previous volumes in the story.<\/p>
\u201c[A] Dance with Dragons and Storm of Swords are the two largest books in the series, they were both about 1,500 manuscript pages. I think this one is going to be longer than that by the time I\u2019m finished with it and I think I\u2019m around three-quarters of the way done, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin warned that even when his manuscript is finished, the book won\u2019t immediately be ready for release as his publisher will have to assess the best release strategy for the title.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to continue\u2026 And of course, then there\u2019s the issue here of my friends at Random House, when I deliver this monstrous book that will be as big as a dragon, are they going to try to make me cut it in two? We\u2019ll find out about that but first I have to finish it, I have to get it all done,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The author went on to voice his disappointment at being branded a \u201cliar\u201d by toxic fans, who have criticised him for missing the several possible completion dates he has suggested over the past decade.<\/p>