George R.R. Martin to people who worry that he won't finish 'Game of Thrones': 'F*** you'

NEW YORK, July 9 (UPI) -- George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series might stretch to eight books, though he's only managed to write five since the first debuted in 1996.

His slow pace has prompted some hand-wringing among fans, who worry that the 65-year-old writer won't be able to finish the series.

Martin recently told Swedish newspaper on Tages-Anzeiger that he's offended by suggestions that he could die mid-series.

"I find that question pretty offensive, people speculating about my death and my health," he said. "I say f*** you to those people."