While it has long been set down that the popular fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire would be only seven books, author George R.R. Martin's editor hinted that there could possibly be an eighth book.
In a Q & A done through Suvudu, Anne Groell admitted that there could possibly end up being eight books to complete the series. She noted that the ASOIF series, which was originally going to just be a trilogy before eventually expanding into seven because of seven kingdoms.
"Only, as I recently learned while editing The World of Ice and Fire ... there are really technically eight kingdoms, all having to do with who has annexed what when Aegon the Conqueror landed in Westeros," Groell wrote. "So, maybe eight books for Seven Kingdoms would be okay."
While fans may or may not be happy to hear there could be eight books (most despair likely centered around the long wait time between sequels), Martin's UK publisher, Jane Johnson spoke with The Guardian and said that the author is only contractually obligated to produce seven books.
Johnson also added, "in all honest only George knows how many books there will be in the series, and he's not saying."
In the Q & A, Martin's editor said that she is currently helping him along with the sixth book, The Winds of Winter, which Groell said still does not have a release date and fans would be informed as soon as she and the publisher knew.