George R.R. Martin, the prolific author behind the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, has provided fans with a somber update on his personal life and health via his blog, "Not A Blog." While the update touches on personal challenges, including battling sadness and depression and concerns about his aging, Martin also shared a bright spot: the Emmy nominations for the upcoming adaptation, 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.'
In a post dated August 3, Martin revealed that while his blog has seen regular updates throughout 2026, the most recent entry he personally authored was on February 19. He attributes the subsequent posts to his "mighty minions," acknowledging that even with assistance, he finds himself falling further behind. The author candidly discussed turning 77 and the difficulties that accompany aging, noting the loss of friends and expressing a sentiment that "the worst may be yet to come."
Despite the personal reflections, Martin found cause for celebration in the nine Emmy nominations secured by 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' including a nod for Best Drama. The awards ceremony is scheduled for September 14. Martin expressed his hope to attend, though he noted it depends on "a lot of things."
His praise for 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is unsurprising, given his close involvement as an executive producer and writer alongside showrunner Ira Parker. The adaptation is noted for closely adhering to the narrative of the original Dunk and Egg stories, with only minor changes.
Notably absent from Martin's latest blog update was any mention of 'House of the Dragon,' an adaptation whose final episode aired recently. Martin has previously voiced strong criticism regarding 'House of the Dragon,' particularly concerning its adaptation of his book 'Fire & Blood,' famously deleting a post detailing "everything that's gone wrong" with the series. This past criticism makes his silence on the show in his latest update understandable.
In related 'Game of Thrones' news, the Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the cast for 'Game of Thrones: The Mad King,' a new stage play set to premiere next week.