>>7
That only works if the author is, say, 30 years old. GRRM is 60 already and has taken 5 years for the 4th book, and I'm predicting the 5th will beat that yet.
If he croaks before finishing the series and some third rate hack finishes it just to rake in the last of the dough you can fuck right off with your creative process.
Anyway.. I don't really follow GRRM release dates any more. Got that shit pre-ordered and buried in the deepest recesses of my consciousness - if it does arrive somewhen unexpectedly at my doorstep it'll be a pleasant surprise, but that's about it.