The Witcher’s Andrzej Sapkowski Calls Out George R. R. Martin Over Unfinished Books
George R. R. Martin can’t seem to catch a break these days. Now, even Andrzej Sapkowski, the legendary author behind The Witcher series, has decided to throw a little shade at the Game of Thrones creator. If you’re curious what’s going on in the world of fantasy writers, you’re in the right place!
- Andrzej Sapkowski comments on George R. R. Martin’s writing delays
- Sapkowski explains why he understands Martin’s struggle
- The Witcher author teases new books and talks about adaptations
- Updates on both Witcher and A Song of Ice and Fire series
Andrzej Sapkowski vs. George R. R. Martin – a friendly jab?
During a panel at the Opole book festival, Andrzej Sapkowski started things off with a bang. He said:
“I will write something else. Relax. No need to fear. And unlike George R. R. Martin — whom, by the way, I know personally — when I say I’ll write something, I will.”
If you want to see the full moment, check out the panel here:
The quote was originally in Polish, but the message is clear. Sapkowski, known for his directness, wasn’t trying to stir up drama. Instead, he explained he actually understands Martin’s position:
“I totally understand him. Because if someone had pulled a stunt like that on me, filming a series based on my books, and then getting ahead of what I intended to write, I’d also be wondering whether there’s any point in writing anymore. If it’s already been done, right? Makes no sense. It’s nice when they adapt your work, that’s the author’s bloody right, but to adapt what doesn’t exist yet, to extrapolate like that? That’s just indecent.”
Sapkowski touched on a theory many fans share: Martin may have lost motivation to finish A Song of Ice and Fire after HBO’s Game of Thrones raced ahead and wrapped up the story in a way that disappointed many.
Why hasn’t Martin finished his books?
Martin’s last ASOIAF novel, A Dance with Dragons, was released in 2011, and since then, fans have been waiting for the next book. Instead of writing, Martin has been working on other projects, like producing an animated Hercules series. Some fans have accepted that he may never finish the books, while others keep hoping. In fact, a group of hardcore ASOIAF fans recently sent him almost 1,000 letters of support – you can read more about that here.
The Witcher: From books to games to Netflix
Sapkowski is no stranger to adaptations either. The Witcher started as a book series, then became a Polish film in 2001, followed by a TV show in 2002. But the real global breakthrough came with CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015. Now, Netflix is adapting The Witcher for TV, though the series has seen some big changes, like Henry Cavill leaving and Liam Hemsworth stepping in.
When asked about the quality of the Netflix adaptation, Sapkowski gave a classic answer:
“I appear in the end credits. Which means: if I say something positive, you’ll say, ‘Well of course, the magpie praises its own tail.’ And if I say something negative, you’ll say, ‘Idiot.’ So I won’t say anything.”
What’s next for The Witcher?
Sapkowski originally finished The Witcher saga with The Lady of the Lake in 1999. But he returned to the world in 2013 with Season of Storms. Now, he’s back again with Crossroads of Ravens, a prequel following young Geralt, released in Poland last year. The book will get a wider international release in 2025 – you can find more details here.
It looks like Sapkowski is keeping his promise to keep writing, while Martin’s fans are still waiting for that next chapter. Whether you’re a Witcher fan or rooting for Westeros, there’s always something happening in the world of fantasy!
