Author George R.R. Martin
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

George R.R. Martin announced recently that he will not be getting involved with the TV adaptation of his “Wild Cards” TV series in order to focus on finishing “Winds of Winter.” The author did not reveal how much of the book still remains or when he will reveal the release date.

In a blog post, Martin said that Universal Cable Productions (UCP) has acquired the rights to his “Wild Cards” series. Anthologies and the mosaic novels will be adapted for television. Development will commence immediately for what the author hopes will be the start of “several interlocking series.”

“Melinda M. Snodgrass, my assistant editor and right-hand man on Wild Cards since its inception, the creator of Dr. Tachyon, Double Helix, and Franny Black, and a seasoned television writer/ producer whose credits include STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION ("Measure of a Man"), REASONABLE DOUBTS, THE PROFILER, and STAR COMMAND, is attached as an executive producer on the project, together with Gregory Noveck of RED, Slow Learner, and SyFy Films,” Martin wrote.

Martin himself will refrain from getting involved with the project. He will instead focus his energies on finishing “Winds of Winter.” The author has an exclusive contract with HBO, where he works as a consultant for the popular “Game of Thrones” TV series. He has also written the script for some of the episodes of the show, but has stopped doing even that in order to focus on his writing.

The author said that he has full confidence in Melinda Snodgrass and Gregory Noveck, who apparently know the “Wild Cards” universe “almost” as well as the author himself. Martin called on his fans to wish them luck on this new project.

Martin requested his readers to “stay on topic” while commenting on the post. He said that any comment that is not related to “Wild Cards” will be screened and deleted before he even reads it, suggesting that he is not interested in taking on any questions on “Winds of Winter” in this post.

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