Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin says he will come to New Zealand in 2020, after he was called out by Air NZ.
Quite literally speaking his language, the Kiwi airline on Monday tweeted Martin in Valyrian - a language originated in his novels and later fully-realised for the Game of Thrones television series.
The tweet offered to fly Martin to New Zealand for free to inspire him to finish the long-awaited Song of Ice and Fire books.
In his blog, titled 'Thanks, New Zealand' Martin said he already had plans to come to the country. He said he's already been here a number of times.
"I cannot say I was not tempted," he said. "New Zealand is a beautiful place.
"In short, I love New Zealand. You don't need to convince me."
Martin's blog says he will return to the country in the summer of 2020 for the World Science Fiction Convention in Wellington.
"Of course, I was especially moved by your offer to bring me to New Zealand 'on us'," he said. "How wonderfully generous.
"As it happens, I do have enough money to make it to New Zealand on my own… but there are many American writers, fans and artists who do not. If you'd care to fly, say, twenty or thirty or fifty of them to Wellington in place of me, I have no doubt they would instantly accept, and fall in love with Middle Earth."
Martin said he fears New Zealand would distract him too much to finish his book here.
"But I tell you this - if I don't have THE WINDS OF WINTER in hand when I arrive in New Zealand for worldcon, you have here my formal written permission to imprison me in a small cabin on White Island, overlooking that lake of sulfuric acid, until I'm done," his blog says.
Air NZ general manager of global brand and content marketing Jodi Williams said it was "ecstatic" to see a response from Martin on Wednesday.
"We're stoked to hear George RR Martin got our message and loves New Zealand as much as we do."
Newshub.
