It was 15 years ago when George RR Martin last published a novel in his A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Since then, the Game of Thrones TV show has come and gone, with the last few series relying on the author's planned plot points for the final two unwritten books, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.

Martin did, however, publish another Game of Thrones book in the meantime, back in 2018.

Fire and Blood, Volume 1 of his 300 year history of the Targaryen dynasty's rule from the Iron Throne.

And now a fan has spotted what some think could be a clue to the publication of The Winds of Winter.

Posting on the A Song of Ice and Fire Reddit, xXJarjar69Xx pointed out "It's been 2,688 days since Fire and Blood released. Fire and Blood released 2,688 days after A Dance with Dragons released." This means it's now been longer than the gap between A Dance with Dragons and Fire and Blood, Martin's last two Westeros publications. Given the similar gap in the author's writing schedule, could this mean a 2026 release? Not all fans were that positive. The most up voted comment, which can be read sarcastically read: 'So Winds of Winter should be soon then.' The second most popular added: 'Any minute now.'"

Martin has previously said he has around 1100 pages finished, but admits he has a tendency to go back, delete and rewrite chapters. He's also often busy travelling abroad on business and has many projects on the go, including his responsibilities for Game of Thrones spin-off shows. The 77-year-old also said that he works on Fire and Blood Volume 2 and the next Dung and Egg, and has confirmed earlier this year that if he doesn't finish A Song of Ice and Fire, it will remain incomplete.