Earlier this month, it was rumored that HBO was developing four potential spinoffs to the massively popular TV series Game of Thrones. Now, the author and creator of the series, George R.R. Martin, has come forward to confirm the rumors, and reveal that there may be as many as five spinoffs in the works.

In a post on his blog, Martin confirmed that the spinoffs were in development, but noted that the term “spinoff” doesn’t really apply to the projects HBO is developing. According to Martin, these would be “new stories set in the secondary universe of Westerns and the world beyond”.

“None of these new shows will be 'spinning off' from GOT in the traditional sense.” Martin wrote. “every one of the concepts under discussion is a prequel, rather than a sequel. Some may not even be set on Westeros.”

The author confirmed he has been involved “for months” in the discussions, and said that when he arrived in LA last week, there were four scripts in development, but since then, a fifth potential project has been added to the workload.

While Martin didn’t reveal who the writer of the fifth script was (he did note that HBO eventually would announce it, as the cable network did for the first four), he praised the addition, calling the unnamed person “a great guy and a fine writer” who apparently has a deep love for Westeros. Whoever the new screenwriter is, he’ll join Max Borenstein (Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island), Jane Goldman (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Brian Helgeland (Legend), and Carly Wray (The Leftovers) along with Martin in working on the various projects.

Game of Thrones seventh season debuts on HBO on July 16. The series was adapted for television by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. The seventh season is slated to star Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow.