George R. R. Martin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George R. R. Martin
Martin in 2017
Born	George Raymond Martin (1948-09-20) September 20, 1948 (age 76) Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Novelist television writer short story writer
Education	Northwestern University (BS, MS)
Period	1965–present
Genre	Fantasy horror science fiction
Notable works	A Song of Ice and Fire Wild Cards anthology series The Thousand World stories
Spouses	Gale Burnick ​ ​ (m. 1975; div. 1979)​ Parris McBride ​ (m. 2011)​
Signature

George Raymond Richard Martin (born September 20, 1948), also known as G.R.R.M, is an American author and TV producer. He is most famous for writing the epic fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire. These books were turned into the very popular TV shows Game of Thrones (2011–2019) and its prequel, House of the Dragon (2022–present). He also helped create the Wild Cards book series and contributed to the video game Elden Ring (2022).

In 2005, Time magazine called Martin "the American Tolkien". In 2011, he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he helped fund an art collective called Meow Wolf and owns the Jean Cocteau Cinema. The city even has a special day, March 29, named George R. R. Martin Day.

Early Life and Imagination

George Raymond Martin was born on September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. He later added "Richard" as his confirmation name when he was 13. His father, Raymond Collins Martin, was a longshoreman. George has two younger sisters, Darleen and Jane. His mother's family had been wealthy but lost everything during the Great Depression.

Growing up, George's world was small, mostly between his school and home. This made him dream of traveling and seeing new places. Since he couldn't travel much, he explored the world through his imagination and became a huge reader.

George started writing and selling monster stories to other kids for a few pennies. He even acted out the stories! He had to stop when one parent complained about their child's nightmares. He also wrote stories about a make-believe kingdom where his pet turtles lived. When the turtles often died in their toy castle, he imagined they were killing each other in "sinister plots."

Discovering Comics and Fandom

George went to Mary Jane Donohoe School and then Marist High School. He loved comic-books, especially the superheroes from Marvel Comics. He often said that Stan Lee, a famous comic book writer, was one of his biggest influences, even more than Shakespeare or Tolkien.

His letters to the editor of Fantastic Four were printed in several issues, starting in 1963. Other fans wrote back to him, and George joined the early comic fandom community. He wrote stories for fan magazines called fanzines. In 1964, he bought the very first ticket to the world's first Comic-Con in New York. In 1965, he won an Alley Award for his superhero story "Powerman vs. The Blue Barrier."

College and Community Service

In 1970, George earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He then got his Master of Science degree in Journalism in 1971. During the Vietnam War, he was eligible for the draft. However, he was a conscientious objector, meaning he chose not to join the military because of his beliefs. Instead, he did two years of community service from 1972 to 1974 as a VISTA volunteer, helping with legal aid in Cook County.

Becoming a Writer

Early Professional Writing

George R. R. Martin began selling his science fiction short stories professionally in 1970, when he was 21. His first story, "The Hero," was published in Galaxy magazine in 1971. His story "With Morning Comes Mistfall" was nominated for the Hugo Award and Nebula Awards in 1974. His first novel, Dying of the Light, was published in 1977.

In his early 20s, his stories brought in some money, but not enough to be a full-time writer. He found a job as a tournament director for the Continental Chess Association, which ran chess tournaments on weekends. This gave him enough income and allowed him to write five days a week from 1973 to 1976.

Teaching and New Paths

In the mid-1970s, Martin met English professor George Guthridge. Guthridge helped Martin get a job at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. From 1976 to 1978, Martin taught English and journalism there. He then became the Writer In Residence from 1978 to 1979.

Even though he enjoyed teaching, a friend's sudden death in 1977 made Martin think about his own life. He decided to try to become a full-time writer. In 1979, he left his job and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He lived alone for almost three years, which he described as a very productive time for his writing.

Martin is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). He helped organize the first "Hugo Losers' Party" in 1976 for writers who had been nominated for the Hugo Awards but didn't win.

Exploring Genres and Wild Cards

In the late 1970s, Martin started writing stories that mixed science fiction and horror. He wanted to prove that these two genres could work together. His best-known story from this time is Sandkings (1979). Another was the novella Nightflyers (1980), which was later made into a film in 1987. Martin felt that the film, even though it wasn't a big hit, helped save his writing career.

In 1982, Martin published Fevre Dream, a vampire novel set on the Mississippi River in the 1800s. Unlike traditional vampire stories, his vampires were a different species, not supernatural. Critics praised it for its strong historical feel. He followed this with another horror novel, The Armageddon Rag (1983). This book didn't sell well, which made him consider a different career.

However, he soon got an offer from Hollywood. He was hired as a writer for the TV show The Twilight Zone and later for Beauty and the Beast, where he wrote 14 episodes.

During this time, Martin also worked as an editor for the Wild Cards book series. This series features many authors writing stories in a shared universe where an alien virus gives some people superpowers after World War II. Martin's own contributions to Wild Cards include the character Thomas Tudbury, "The Great and Powerful Turtle," who is a powerful psychic. In 2016, it was announced that Universal Cable Productions would adapt the Wild Cards novels into a TV series. Martin said he would not write for the show because he was focused on A Song of Ice and Fire.

Martin has shared that he writes using an old WordStar program on an MS-DOS computer. He does this to avoid internet distractions and because he doesn't like his work being spell-checked automatically. He uses a separate computer for internet tasks.

A Song of Ice and Fire

Teaching at Clarion West, 1998

In 1991, Martin decided to return to writing novels. He was frustrated that his TV ideas weren't being made and that TV production limits, like budgets and episode lengths, forced him to cut characters and battle scenes. He wanted to write an epic fantasy where his imagination could run free.

His famous series, A Song of Ice and Fire, was inspired by historical events like the Wars of the Roses and The Accursed Kings. He originally thought it would be three books, but it is now planned to be seven.

• The first book, A Game of Thrones, came out in 1996.
• A Clash of Kings followed in 1998.
• A Storm of Swords was published in 2000.
• In 2005, A Feast for Crows became a No. 1 bestseller.
• The fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, was released on July 12, 2011, and also became an international bestseller.

A Dance with Dragons was nominated for several awards in 2012 and won the Locus Poll Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Two more books are planned in the series: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.

On April 25, 2018, Martin announced his new book, Fire & Blood, which tells the history of House Targaryen. It was released on November 20, 2018. Martin has stated that if he passes away before finishing A Song of Ice and Fire, other writers will not complete the series for him.

Game of Thrones TV Show

HBO bought the TV rights for A Song of Ice and Fire in 2007. George R. R. Martin was very involved in making the TV show. He helped choose the production team and worked on the scripts. He was listed as a co-executive producer.

The first episode, "Winter Is Coming," premiered on HBO on April 17, 2011. It was watched by 2.2 million viewers. The first season was nominated for 13 Emmy Awards and won two, including one for Peter Dinklage as Best Supporting Actor.

Game of Thrones quickly became a huge success. HBO ordered a second season, which had a bigger budget to film the important "Battle of the Blackwater" episode, written by Martin. The second season won six Emmy Awards.

The show continued to grow in popularity. The third season, based on the first half of A Storm of Swords, premiered in 2013 and was seen by 14.2 million viewers. It won two Emmy Awards. The fourth season, which premiered in 2014, became the most-watched HBO series ever, with an average of 18.4 million viewers. It won four Emmy Awards.

Martin wrote one episode for each of the first four seasons. However, starting with season 5, he stepped back from the show's production to focus on writing The Winds of Winter. The fifth season won a Guinness World Record for winning the most Emmy Awards for a series in a single year (12 out of 24 nominations), including Outstanding Drama Series.

The sixth season, filmed in five different countries, began to tell stories that were not yet published in Martin's books, though he had shared his ideas with the showrunners. The "Battle of the Bastards" episode was highly praised. The season won 12 Emmy Awards.

The seventh season had only seven episodes, as the showrunners said it was more like making a mid-range movie than a typical TV series. It received 22 Emmy nominations and won nine. The final eighth season had only six episodes, but they were longer. While the acting and music were praised, many critics felt the ending was disappointing. Despite this, the season received 32 Emmy nominations, the most for a single TV season in history, and won twelve, including Outstanding Drama Series.

House of the Dragon and Future Projects

Three years after Game of Thrones ended, a prequel series called House of the Dragon premiered on HBO on August 21, 2022. This show is based on parts of Martin's novel Fire & Blood and is set about 200 years before Game of Thrones. The series was renewed for a second season just five days after it premiered.

As of July 2025, there are plans for more shows set in Martin's world. A sequel series about Jon Snow, with Kit Harington returning, is in early development. Martin confirmed he is involved and that Harington came up with the idea. Martin also mentioned three other live-action series in development: 10,000 Ships, 9 Voyages (also known as Sea Snake), and a Dunk & Egg prequel series, possibly titled The Hedge Knight or Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Additionally, several animated series are in development at HBO Max, including one set in Yi Ti, a nation inspired by Imperial China.

Themes in Martin's Work

Literary critics have described Martin's work as having "complex story lines, fascinating characters, great dialogue, perfect pacing." The New York Times called his work "fantasy for grown ups," and Lev Grossman noted it was dark and serious.

Martin's first novel, Dying of the Light, showed a sad tone that would appear in his later work. It's about a planet slowly becoming unlivable. His characters are often unhappy or unsatisfied. They might hold onto good ideas even in a chaotic world, and they are often bothered by their own selfish or violent actions. Many of his characters are like tragic heroes or antiheroes.

The overall serious mood of A Song of Ice and Fire can be challenging for some readers. However, many fans love how "real" and complete his stories feel. This includes characters who aren't perfect, who make morally difficult choices, and who face sudden, big changes. Fans find that this makes the stories exciting, even with their brutality and complex plots.

Martin's characters are very detailed, with rich pasts, hopes, and goals. Publishers Weekly said that the complex characters like Daenerys, Arya, and the Kingslayer make readers want to keep turning the pages. Martin often has major characters face bad luck, injury, or even death. He says he does this so readers will be afraid to turn the page, knowing that anything can happen.

Martin wants his work to be realistic and show believable social interactions, rather than relying too much on magic or simple "good versus evil" ideas. He especially moves away from the common "heroic knights and chivalry" found in much fantasy writing that comes from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He jokes about how some fantasy makes the Middle Ages seem like "Disneyland," ignoring the real differences in medieval societies, like their strict class systems.

While Martin is inspired by Tolkien, he wants to go deeper than Tolkien's idea that "if the king was a good man, the land would prosper." Martin explores the complex and unpredictable nature of real power, noting that "Just having good intentions doesn't make you a wise king." He is known for helping to create "grimdark fantasy," a style that reacts to Tolkien's idealism by showing a darker, more realistic world.

Martin bases his work on historical fiction, using elements from the European medieval era. He makes sure that magic is just one part of his stories, not a simple solution to all problems. His main goal is to explore the inner struggles that define the human condition.

In 2018, Martin named The Lord of the Rings, The Great Gatsby, Gone with the Wind, Great Expectations, Lonesome Dove, Catch-22, and Charlotte's Web as some of his favorite books that changed his life.

Other Projects

In 2017, Martin confirmed he would be an executive producer for the HBO TV series based on the novel Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor. He also helped create the world for the 2022 video game Elden Ring. In 2021, it was reported that Martin and Kalinda Vazquez were developing a TV show based on Roadmarks by Roger Zelazny. Martin is an executive producer for the Peacock TV adaptation of his Wild Cards book series. He is also an executive producer for the AMC series Dark Winds. In 2021, Martin was a producer for the short film Night of the Cooters.

Connecting with Fans

Martin signing books in a bookstore in Ljubljana, Slovenia (June 2011)

Martin actively writes on his blog, Not a Blog, which he moved to his own website in 2018. His official fan club is called the "Brotherhood Without Banners." They have a regular online forum and host a large gathering at the annual World Science Fiction Convention.

Martin does not support fan fiction. He sees it as a violation of copyright and believes it doesn't help new writers develop their own skills in worldbuilding and character development.

Conventions and Public Appearances

Martin is known for regularly attending science fiction conventions and comic conventions. He is very open and friendly with his fans. Since the early 1970s, he has attended many regional science fiction conventions. Since 1986, he has also attended Bubonicon, a smaller convention near his home in New Mexico, every year. He was the special guest at the 61st World Science Fiction Convention in Toronto in 2003.

In December 2016, Martin was a main speaker at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico, where he gave hints about the next two books in A Song of Ice and Fire. In 2020, Martin was the "toastmaster" for the Hugo Awards. During the event, he mispronounced some names, including that of R. F. Kuang, and later apologized.

Writing Speed

Fans have sometimes criticized Martin for the long time between books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. For example, there was a six-year gap between A Feast for Crows (2005) and A Dance with Dragons (2011). As of July 2025, the next book, The Winds of Winter, is still not published, more than 13 years after the previous one. In 2010, Martin explained that he doesn't want to write only the A Song of Ice and Fire series. He enjoys working on other writing projects and editing different books, which has always been part of his process.

Personal Life

Martin at LoneStarCon 3 (the 71st World Science Fiction Convention), 2013

In the early 1970s, Martin was in a relationship with fellow author Lisa Tuttle, with whom he co-wrote Windhaven.

He met his first wife, Gale Burnick, at a science fiction convention. They married in 1975 and moved to Dubuque in 1976. They both disliked the harsh winters there. In 1979, they decided to move to New Mexico. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1979. Martin then settled alone in Santa Fe until September 1981, when his longtime partner, Parris McBride, moved in with him. On February 15, 2011, Martin and McBride had a small wedding ceremony at their Santa Fe home. They had a larger celebration on August 19, 2011, at the 69th World Science Fiction Convention. They do not have children.

Martin and McBride support the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico. In early 2013, he bought Santa Fe's Jean Cocteau Cinema and Coffee House, which had been closed since 2006. He had it fully restored, and it reopened on August 9, 2013. In 2019, he opened a bookstore called Beastly Books next to the cinema. Martin has also supported Meow Wolf, an arts group in Santa Fe, pledging $2.7 million for a new art space in 2015.

When asked about his religious beliefs, Martin said he considers himself a "lapsed Catholic" and would be seen as an atheist or agnostic. He finds religion fascinating but struggles to believe in an afterlife.

He is a fan of the New York Jets, the New York Giants, and the New York Mets sports teams. He also enjoys the music of the Grateful Dead and believes their music might have influenced his writing.

Martin has made guest appearances as himself in TV shows like Robot Chicken, Z Nation (as a zombie version of himself), and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (where he is killed). He also had a cameo in the AMC show Dark Winds.

Helping Others

In 2014, Martin started a campaign to raise money for the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary and a food bank in Santa Fe. As part of the campaign, he offered one donor the chance to visit the wolf sanctuary with him, including a helicopter ride and dinner. Donors who gave $20,000 or more could have a character named after them and "killed off" in an upcoming Song of Ice and Fire novel. The campaign raised over $500,000.

In 2017, Martin announced he was funding The Miskatonic Scholarship. This scholarship allows a writer of cosmic horror stories to attend the Odyssey Writing Workshop, a six-week writing program.

Martin is also an advisor for Colossal Biosciences, a company that works with biotechnology. He was excited to meet three dire wolves the company created in February 2025, saying it stirred him like no scientific news since the moon landing.

Views on Politics

Growing up, Martin avoided the draft for the Vietnam War because he was a conscientious objector. He generally opposes war and believed the Vietnam War was a "terrible mistake for America."

He supported Barack Obama for re-election in 2012, calling him a very intelligent president. In 2014, he supported Democratic Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico.

In 2014, when there was pressure to remove the film The Interview from theaters, Martin's Jean Cocteau Cinema decided to show it. The theater manager said Martin strongly believes in the First Amendment and artists' right to express themselves without fear.

After Bernie Sanders lost the 2016 Democratic primary elections, Martin supported Hillary Clinton for president. He criticized Donald Trump during and after the election, saying Trump would be "the worst president in American history." When fans compared Trump to characters from A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin said Trump shared many traits with King Joffrey, a widely disliked character from the series, calling Trump "a Grown-Up Joffrey." In May 2019, Martin endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2020.

Awards and Recognition

George R. R. Martin has won many awards for his writing. Some of his notable awards include:

• Alley Award for Fan Fiction (1965)
• Hugo Award for Novella (1975) for A Song For Lya
• Nebula Award for Novelette (1980) for Sandkings
• Hugo Award for Novelette (1980) for Sandkings
• Locus Award for Short Fiction (1980) for The Way of Cross and Dragon
• Hugo Award for Short Story (1980) for The Way of Cross and Dragon
• World Fantasy Award for Novella (1989) for The Skin Trade
• Hugo Award for Novella (1997) for Blood of the Dragon
• Locus Award for Fantasy Novel (1997) for A Game of Thrones
• Locus Award for Fantasy Novel (1999) for A Clash of Kings
• Locus Award for Fantasy Novel (2001) for A Storm of Swords
• Hugo Award for Dramatic Presentation: Long Form (2012) for Game of Thrones season 1
• Hugo Award for Dramatic Presentation: Short Form (2013) for Game of Thrones - Episode: Blackwater
• Outstanding Drama Series (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) for Game of Thrones
• Locus Award for Fantasy Novel (2012) for A Dance with Dragons
• World Fantasy Award (Life Achievement Award) (2012)
• Nebula Award for Game Writing (2023) for Elden Ring

He has also received the Inkpot Award (1988), Edward E. Smith Memorial Award (2004), and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2019). Northwestern University awarded him the Medill Hall of Achievement Award (2015) and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree (2021).

Film and Television Work

Film

Television

Video Games

See also

In Spanish: George R. R. Martin para niños