Which author wrote the novels that inspired Game of Thrones?

George R. R. Martin wrote the novels that inspired Game of Thrones.

The television series is adapted from Martin’s epic fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire. Its first book, A Game of Thrones, was published in 1996, introducing the competing families, political struggles, and supernatural threats that became central to HBO’s adaptation.

Martin originally imagined A Song of Ice and Fire as a trilogy, but the planned series expanded to seven novels. Five have been published: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. The final two planned volumes are The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring.

The title distinction is a frequent source of confusion. A Game of Thrones is both the name of the first novel and the television series’ title, while A Song of Ice and Fire names the larger book saga. Martin also worked as a screenwriter and television producer, but he is the sole author of the novels on which the main series is based.