George RR Martin biography
Born on the 20th September 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey, George Raymond Richard Martin began writing at a very early age; creating scary monster stories and selling them to the other children that lived in the neighbouring area. His father, Raymond Collins Martin was a longshoreman. His mother was called Margaret Brady Martin. He has 2 sisters, Darleen and Janet. He attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. Martin received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, Illinois in 1970 and a Master of Science from the same university in 1971. He had his first book published in 1971; the book was called The Hero and Martin was 21 years of age.
Martin’s works are often dark, brooding and imbued with a strong sense of melancholy. Reviewers of his books suggest that his writings are not for those in search of joy or of an uplifting experience. One of Martin’s strongest points is his attention to detail when creating his characters. This dedication leads to the reader becoming attached to, and caring deeply about the outcome of the characters. The characters are complex and multi-faceted, all with involved pasts and entangled ambitions.
In 1996, Martin began work on “A Song of Ice and Fire”, a series of books inspired by the War of the Roses (a series of civil wars fought between the House of York (white rose) and the House of Lancaster (red rose) for the English throne in the 15th century). The first book published from this series was “The Game of Thrones”, and the fourth book; “A Feast of Crows” became The New York Times No.1 bestseller. Readers and critics alike acclaim the series.
Each book I write, you know, I want to go back to A Game of Thrones and say, "Wow I should I should really change that. I could put this thing here and change that it would come around nicely in book three." So you're limited to a certain extent more than you know. But in large I'm pretty pleased with it. 
In 1986 Martin went to Hollywood and signed as a story editor on CBS Television’s The Twilight Zone. In 1987 he became an executive story writer on CBS Television’s Beauty and the Beast – going on to become co-supervising producer in 1989. Between 1992 and 1993 he was the executive producer on Doorways, a pilot written for Columbia Pictures Television.
George RR Martin is a member of the SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) and the HWA (Horror Writers of America) and the Writers Guild of America. George Martin married his wife Gale in 1975. They divorced 4 years later. In 1986, he became a story editor on the famous American TV show The Twilight Zone.
He currently resides in Santa Fe in New Mexico. George RR Martin official website
George RR Martin books
A Song of Ice and Fire
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- The Winds of Winter (forthcoming)
- A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)
Latest news: George RR Martin
Ryan Colucci to produce screen adaptation of George RR Martin's The Skin Trade
Mike The Pike Productions, Inc. and Oscar Award contender Ryan Colucci, have entered into a partnership agreement securing Colucci as a Co-Producer on the screen adaptation of George RR Martin's The Skin Trade. The werewolf novella, recently optioned by Mike the Pike Productions, is described as som [...]
Work on A Dance with Dragons progressing well, says George RR Martin
There is some good news for A Song of Ice and Fire fans impatiently awaiting the release of the fifth instalment in the series, A Dance with Dragons, and that is that George RR Martin, the series’ unfairly put-up-upon author is 1,261 pages into writing it. The Guardian’s Alison Flood reported that [...]
My Most Anticipated Books of 2010
With the beginning of a new year come resolutions, gym memberships, budgets and more. But, honestly, none of that really matters in the face of some of the books that are coming this year. So here’s a small taste of what is coming in 2010 from some of fantasy’s best, and why I’m looking forward to t [...]
Northern Irish fantasy fans get to meet George RR Martin
At a signing at Eason’s in Belfast city yesterday fans of A Song of Ice and Fire were able to meet its American author, George RR Martin, on whose novels the series is based. Game Of Thrones, the HBO adaptation, is being filmed at locations across Northern Ireland including the Paint Hall in t [...]
Jason Momoa added to Game of Thrones cast shortly before production begins
The Chicago Tribune has announced that Jason Momoa (Stargate Atlantis) will play Khal Drogo in HBO’s fantasy series Game of Thrones. The series, which is based on the A Song of Ice and Fire books by George RR Martin, begins production on October 24, 2009. As warden of the north, Lord Eddard [...]
John Jarrold interview (September 2009)
John Jarrold is a name that is respected throughout the publishing world. Working predominantly with new and established science fiction and fantasy authors, John uses his extensive knowledge and skills to help guide writers on the road to publication. Amongst those full of praise for his work are [...]
The cast of HBOs A Game of Thrones becomes ever more impressive
It all began with the casting of Sean Bean (Lady Chatterley's Lover, Sharpe) in the HBO adaptation of George RR Martin’s A Game of Thrones. When Bean agreed to play the role of Lord Eddard Stark it sent out a message that this HBO adaptation was not going to be light-hearted Xena/Legend of the Seek [...]
George RR Martin shows us the faces of Arya and Sansa Stark
George RR Martin has announced that the Stark sisters, Arya and Sansa, will be played by Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner respectively (please see images below). This news comes hot on the heels of the news that Richard Madden will play Rob Stark, Iain Glen will play Ser Jorah Mormont and Alfie [...]
Eagerly anticipated fantasy books: October 2009
Steven Erikson’s Dust of Dreams and Robin Hobb’s Dragon Keeper were the books that we were most looking forward to this year. But luckily the anticipation does not stop there and there are still several titles due out in the next couple of months that are sure to be bestsellers. Unseen Academicals [...]
Jennifer Ehle joins Game of Thrones cast
Jennifer Ehle has been added to the pilot "Game of Thrones," an adaptation of the George RR Martin fantasy-book series. Ehle will play Catelyn Stark, Ned Stark's (Sean Bean) wife who originally was betrothed to Ned's older brother. When the older brother was killed, she fulfilled her duty [...]
George RR Martin interviews
George R.R. Martin interviewed by Andrew Brooks on SFFWorld.com in 2007
George R.R. Martin interview on SFFWorld.com >>
A conversation with George R.R. Martin on The SF Site - http://www.sfsite.com/01a/gm95.htm
George RR Martin asked about his lifestyle of a writer, relationships with his characters, the writing process and the inspirations of a writer. George RR Martin interview >>
George RR Martin critical acclaim
"Fantasy literature has never shied away from grandeur, but the sheer mind-boggling scope of this epic has sent other fantasy authors away shaking their heads ... Its ambition: to construct the Twelve Caesars of fantasy fiction, with characters so venemous they could eat the Borgias" Guardian
"Colossal, taggering ... Martin captures all the intoxicating complexity of the Wars of the Roses or Imperial Rome in his imaginary world ... The writing is always powerful." SFX
Book of the Month
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Some doors are better left closed . . . In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And it’s been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever.
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