Born George Raymond Richard Martin in Bayonne, New Jersey, Martin began writing monster stories as a child and selling them to other neighborhood children for pennies. Later, he became a prolific science fiction writer, winning multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards. Martin's career took a significant turn with the publication of the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series in 1996. This saga has earned him international fame and numerous awards, including a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Martin has also worked as a screenwriter and producer, contributing to several television series.