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The bestselling author once again will not contribute a script to HBO’s

author previously penned an episode for seasons 1-4, then opted out of writing for the current fifth season.  

Martin told EW last month that he’s making every effort to finish the next book in his Song of Ice and Fire saga before the sixth season of the series based on his novels debuts next year. 

 storyline is expected to move beyond the events chronicled in Martin’s most recent novel (2011’s

). Martin has also cut back on doing media interviews, and he’s canceled planned convention appearances, including July’s San Diego-based mega-conference Comic-Con, as well.

“Maybe I’m being overly optimistic about how quickly I can finish,” the author told EW. “But I canceled two convention appearances, I’m turning down a lot more interviews—anything I can do to clear my decks and get this done.”

doesn’t yet have a publication date, but Martin has said he will announce when the book is finished on his not-a-blog.

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