George R.R. Martin, author of the Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, shared a personal update on his blog on August 3 about his struggles with depression, citing it as one of the reasons for not posting since February 19. He mentioned losing friends, battling sadness and depression, and feeling overwhelmed by age, stating "getting old is no fun". Martin also expressed gratitude for recent highs, including nine Emmy nominations for HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms series based on his novella The Hedge Knight. The update does not provide any new information about the long-awaited sixth book in the Song of Ice and Fire series.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
George R.R. Martin, author of the Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, has been experiencing a "stressful" and "overwhelming" time due to health issues and personal struggles. On August 3, he shared an update on his blog about what's been going on in his life, including the loss of friends and battles with sadness and depression. He also mentioned that getting older (he turned 77 last September) is not enjoyable for him. However, Martin was optimistic about recent developments, such as nine Emmy nominations for his novella The Hedge Knight, adapted into the HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Written for “George RR Martins Mental Health Strug…” on 2026-08-31,
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Why this leaning score
The article presents a neutral tone in describing George R.R. Martin's struggles with depression, using phrases like 'ups and downs' and 'dreams coming true' to balance out the negative aspects of his experience. However, the use of the phrase 'no fun' when discussing aging suggests a slightly conservative or right-leaning perspective on social issues.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.20 for article 512 · logged 2026-08-06
Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin opens up about his depression
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Martin → open → depression
The author shared the personal update on Aug. 3 on his blog
George R.R. Martin took to his blog to update his fans about what has been a "stressful" and "overwhelming" time full of ups and downs — and celebrate the nine Emmy nominations for HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
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what → share → Kingdoms
The author of the Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, which is the inspiration for HBO's popular television show Game of Thrones, said that this year has been full of "dreams coming true" as well as "nightmares," he posted on Tuesday.
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he → say → Tuesday
Martin addressed fans after not posting since Feb. 19, shouting out his team of assistants for updating the blog in his absence, and opened up about the highs and lows he's been experiencing in recent months.
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he → address → months
"I have lost friends.
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I → lose → friends
Battled sadness and depression," he wrote.
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he → battle → sadness
"The worst may be yet to come.
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worst → come → ?
I turned 77 last September, and I tell you, getting old is no fun."
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getting → turn → you
Martin was also sure to note the "amazing times" he's had recently, one such highlight being nine Emmy nominations for HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms based on his novella The Hedge Knight, including Best Drama.
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highlight → note → Drama
Martin hopes to be at the September ceremony in Los Angeles.
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Martin → hop → Angeles
Left unsaid in the short blog post is an update on the long-awaited sixth book in the Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series.
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update → leave → series
Martin addressed the 15-year delay at an appearance at New York Comic Con in 2025, as reported by USA Today.
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Martin → address → Today
"I know there's all this controversy about Winds of Winter and how late it is, but I've always had trouble with deadlines," he said.
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he → know → deadlines
"I don't feel happy breaching contracts or missing a deadline or anything like that."
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I → feel → that
