George R.R. Martin, author of the "Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy series
George R.R. Martin, author of the "Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy series that is the basis of the television series "Game of Thrones", pauses during his masterclass at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) in Neuchatel July 10, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Reuters/Denis Balibouse

George R. R. Martin has cut down his speaking engagements and appearances in order to focus on completing “Winds of Winter.” The Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico was the author’s last appearance for 2016. He is scheduled for only two events in 2017 so far.

Martin’s next appearance will be in the Annual StokerCon at Long Beach, California. The event will be held between April 27 and 30, 2017. The other prominent people at the event are Elizabeth Hand (‘Wilding Hall,’ ‘The Cass Neary series’), Chuck Wendig (‘Star Wars: Aftermath,’ ‘the Miriam Black thrillers’), Peter Crowther ( ‘Forever Twilight cycle,’ ‘Bill Bridges,’ ‘White Wolf’s World of Darkness’), Gretchen McNeil (‘Possess,’ ‘Ten,’ ‘I’m Not Your Manic Pixie Dream Girl’), and Becky Spratford (‘The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Horror,’ Second Edition).

There will be panel discussions, Horror University classes, ghost tours and harbour excursions at the Annual StokerCon. There will also be high tea with the horror authors. Martin spoke about “Winds of Winter” in Mexico, and will surely be asked about the book at the next event.

The only other event that Martin is scheduled to attend in 2017 is the WorldCon World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in Helsinki, Finland. It will be held between August 9 and 13 in Messukeskus. The guests of honour are John-Henri Holmberg, Nalo Hopkinson, Johanna Sinisalo, Claire Wendling and Walter Jon Williams.

Readers should note that the two events Martin will be attending in 2017 are scheduled as of now, but the author may appear in more events. The author announces his events well in advance, so his fans get enough time to plan for it.

Martin has said that he is yet to complete “Winds of Winter,” which puts to rest all the reports about the book being finished and ready to be published after the editing. The author has repeatedly said that he will announce the completion of the book on his official blog.

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