George R.R. Martin is an American novelist and short story writer. He was born on September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. He is best known for his epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, which was adapted into the popular television series Game of Thrones.

Martin's interest in writing began at a young age, and he sold his first science fiction story at the age of 21. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he continued to write and publish science fiction and fantasy novels and stories. In 1991, he began writing the first novel in his A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Game of Thrones.

The series has since become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of copies sold worldwide and a massive following of fans. Martin's work is known for its complex characters, intricate world-building, and unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of power struggles and warfare.

In addition to his writing, Martin has also worked as a television producer and screenwriter. He served as an executive producer on the Game of Thrones television series and wrote several episodes himself. He has also worked on other television projects, including the 1980s science fiction series Beauty and the Beast.

Martin has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including multiple Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards. He was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2011.

Despite the massive success of his A Song of Ice and Fire series, Martin has faced criticism for his slow pace of writing. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the sixth book in the series, The Winds of Winter, for several years, with no official release date in sight.

Overall, George R.R. Martin is a prolific and influential author whose work has captivated readers and viewers around the world.