'Winds of Winter' release date: George R. R. Martin announces new project as fans wait for next 'A Song of Ice and Fire' book

In the midst of the long wait for "Winds of Winter," author George R.R. Martin announced another project involving one of his works.

"Wilds Cards," a science fiction superhero anthology by Martin, is coming to life on the small screen through Universal Cable Productions.

The bestselling "A Song of Ice and Fire" author, who is also working on "Winds of Winter," made the announcement on his live journal while filling in everyone on what the saga is all about.

Martin described "Wild Cards" as a comic book universe as epic as Marvel and DC Comics, but "somewhat grittier, and considerably more realistic and more consistent."

"The shared world of the Wild Cards diverged from our own on Sept. 15, 1946, when an alien virus was released in the skies over Manhattan and spread across an unsuspecting Earth," Martin wrote.

"Of those infected, 90 percent died horribly, drawing the black queen, 9% were twisted and deformed into jokers, while a lucky 1 percent became blessed with extraordinary and unpredictable powers and became aces. The world was never the same," he continued.

The first "Wild Cards" book was released almost three decades ago – 1987 to be exact. The latest one was out in 2014. In between, more than 30 authors spun tales for the anthology.

To date, there are 22 volumes of "Wild Cards." Martin is yet to pick which stories and characters to feature in the series.

Although this comes as good news to many, it also gives fans a reason to worry about "Winds of Winter." However, Martin clarified he won't be working on the upcoming series.

"My own development deal is exclusive to HBO, and I am writing THE WINDS OF WINTER, as I believe most of you will recall," the 67-year-old author stated.

Martin hopes that "Wild Cards" will hit televisions in the next two years. He did not offer updates on "Winds of Winter," but it is rumored the book won't see the light of day until next year.

"Wild Cards" will definitely something to keep Martin fans busy.