Author George R.R. Martin, whose “A Song of Ice and Fire” is the basis for HBO’s hit “Game of Thrones” series, has responded to fans who are concerned that he might die before he finishes the series, reports the Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger.

In an interview with the publication, Martin, who is 65, expressed anger over the speculation.

“I find that question pretty offensive, frankly, when people start speculating about my death and my health. So ‘Fuck you!’ to those people,” he told the publication. He punctuated his remarks by giving the middle finger.

Martin noted that he has been slowing down recently, and that the “Game of Thrones” books are taking longer than his earlier books to finish. He also said the popularity of the books and the TV series has put more demands on his time, which may have slowed him down.

“I can’t write more than one word at a time,” he said. “I know my working methods. I don’t work when I travel. I work at home when I have a big uninterrupted block of time, when I can lose myself in my work.”

George R.R. Martin