Overview: How Many Books George R. R. Martin Has Published
George R. R. Martin has published 9 authored books in print as of 2025: 5 major fantasy novels in A Song of Ice and Fire, 2 standalone novels, 1 illustrated novella, and 1 story collection. This count includes revised editions he authored and limited collaborations he led. It excludes scripts, comic books he wrote introductions for, and fan or edited volumes. Martin also plans future works, most notably The Winds of Winter, the next main series entry.
Primary Series: A Song of Ice and Fire
A Song of Ice and Fire remains Martin’s core published work, comprising five planned major novels. Four are complete and widely available; the fifth is unfinished but published in part. The series is known for its large cast, political intrigue, and serial structure.
Published Volumes in the Main Series
| Title | First Published | Status | Verified Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones | 1996 | Complete | Authoritative novel; basis for the TV series |
| A Clash of Kings | 1998 | Complete | Authoritative novel |
| A Storm of Swords | 2000 | Complete | Authoritative novel |
| A Feast for Crows | 2005 | Complete | Authoritative novel |
| A Dance with Dragons | 2008 | Published (unfinished) | Part 2 planned; no official completion date |
What’s Next in A Song of Ice and Fire
- The Winds of Winter: the planned sixth novel, currently in progress
- A Dream of Spring: the planned concluding volume, not yet started
Martin has provided intermittent updates, but no firm release dates. Fans should assume the series remains unfinished until official announcements.
Standalone Novels
Beyond A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin has written two notable stand-alone novels that differ in setting and scope from his epic fantasy work.
- Fevre Dream (1982): A vampire riverboat horror/western
- Doctor Sleep (2013): A sequel to Stephen King’s The Shining, adapted into a film
Both are fully completed and published works, distinct from his serialized output.
Short Fiction and Novellas
Martin’s shorter works include genre stories and illustrated novellas often set in established worlds or as original pieces. Key examples include:
- With Morning Comes Mistfall (1973): Early story set in his invented world
- The Armageddon Rag (1983): A mystery incorporating music history
- In the House of the Worm (2018): An illustrated novella inspired by H. P. Lovecraft
These works are complete and available in print or anthology form.
Collections and Edited Volumes
Martin has edited and contributed to several anthologies. Edited collections list him as editor or contributor, not as primary author. Examples include:
- Portraits of His Children (1987): Story collection with his introduction
- GRRM: A RRetrospective (2014): Career-spanning essays and stories
While valuable for readers, these are not authored books in the same sense as novels or novellas he writes.
Counting Guidance and Common Questions
When asking how many books George R. R. Martin has written, the reliable answer focuses on authored works: the five main novels of A Song of Ice and Fire, two standalones, and his short fiction and novellas. Adaptations, introductions, and edited collections are not counted as authored books. Future publications will update this count, but as of now, the total remains in the low single digits for major works with several shorter pieces supplementing his bibliography.