Another recommendation is Joe Abercrombie. His First Law series scratched the ASOIAF itch for me as is is similarly gritty. The full series is 2 trilogies with 3 “stand alone” novels inbetween them, and a book of short stories.

Also Preston Jacobs on YouTube is working on a collaborative alternative Winds of Winter. I really enjoyed their Alayne chapter.

I’m trying to think of something I can actually do, but all I can think about are weird coincidences beyond my control:

My parents and my husband’s parents were married on the same day in different parts of the country. His dad also shares my birthday.

My first child was born on the same day as a moderately famous comedian’s first child. Later, when I looked that comedian up, I realised my second child was born on his 50th birthday.

You’re Wrong About podcast has an episode about this with Blair Braverman guesting, that I think posits a decent theory. Blair also appears on episodes about the Andes plane crash and the diphtheria serum run, both of which are well worth a listen.