Fans eagerly waiting for the release of the sixth installment in "A Song of Ice and Fire" will have to extend their patience a bit longer. Contrary to previous reports, "The Winds of Winter" will not hit bookshelves by early 2017 - writer George R.R. Martin has admitted that the book is not yet done.

Expectations are high that the book can be released by the first quarter of 2017, just before the seventh season of the HBO TV series, "Game of Thrones" will be aired. Martin set the record straight and diffused rumors in a blog post on Nov. 28, 2016.

The author revealed that his public appearances will be reduced come 2017 so he can focus writing and finishing the "The Winds of Winter." He did admit, however, that he can still make it to events, so long as they have been scheduled well in advance and fans made the effort to purchase tickets to see him in person.

Martin has not disclosed details on his progress with writing "The Winds of Winter," but in a 2012 interview with Josh Roberts of SmarterTravel, the writer plans to resolve cliffhangers from the fifth book, "A Dance With Dragons." Five years had passed between the installments, and it is unknown whether Martin will proceed with "opening with the two big battles, the battle in the ice and the battle at Meereen-the battle of Slaver's Bay."

Earlier this year, news went abuzz that Martin has enlisted the help of another critically acclaimed author to finish writing "The Winds of Winter." Jobs & Hire reported that no less than Neil Gaiman - known for "The Sandman," "Stardust," and "Coraline" - will lend his literary prowess in completing the book. Both camps have not confirmed the reports, but if there was a grain of truth in the story, fans can possibly get their hands on "The Winds of Winter" by the first quarter of 2017.