|
DECEMBER 27, 2005 at 2:35 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Editor's Note: This was a commentary (opinion piece) published in 2005. The official release date for book 7 has now been announced (and I was only two weeks off!). You can pre-order it now as well.
Harry Potter 7 will be released July 7, 2007.
At least, it should be. While this date has no doubt already crossed the minds of many fans, JK Rowling's recent revelation that "2006 will be the year" she writes the final book lends itself entirely to this theory.
That, and it is the biggest stroke of magical marketing luck so far this century. The book simply can't not be released on 07/07/07. It's too perfect.
It just so happens that July 7, 2007 is a Saturday. It just so happens that every Potter book since Goblet of Fire has been released on a Saturday (presumably to allow kids and their parents to attend those midnight release parties without undue hardship). It just so happens that July 7 falls right in the traditional June-July release window during which the other books were released. (Finally, while less relevant but still interesting, 12:00 a.m. on Saturday will be 7 p.m. Friday in the U.S., where the most Potter books have been sold to date. Fans on the east coast, already lined up to buy their copies, will see book 7 released across the pond at 7 p.m. local time - what a coincidence.)
Rowling has hinted at the significance of the number 7
, most recently in August when her official site's Wizard of the Month was an arithmancer who discovered the number's magical properties. In Half-Blood Prince, it was revealed that Lord Voldemort had made seven horcruxes (himself included). Quidditch teams have seven players each. Gryffindor Tower's entrance is on the seventh floor at Hogwarts. The list goes on and on.
I can see it now: the biggest marketing campaign in the history of publishing, with one very short, very simple, very effective message: Book 7. 07/07/07. Woe betide the marketing departments at Bloomsbury and Scholastic if they don't clinch what's obviously the most perfect storm of circumstance, desire, product and marketing the world may ever know.
Not that the book needs to be released on any specific date, though. As one of the planet's most successful authors, Rowling probably has the luxury of turning in a manuscript no sooner than when she sees fit. Fans will line up when told to. And it's up to her editors and publishers to polish, prepare and print it. One last consideration, from a business standpoint, is to ask if it makes sense to bump up against the next movie's release (and Order of the Phoenix will be in theatres July 13, 2007). Unfortunately, July 7 will also be the two-year anniversary of the London terrorist bombings (thanks to a reader for pointing that out).
No true fan would begrudge Jo for taking her time. But I must wonder if she also feels this coincidental "aligning of the fates" is something special, something magical, something to take advantage of. As a fan, I can only hope she does.
I also hope Jo doesn't find this speculation absurdly presumptuous. I hope she realizes it's our duty to poke and prod and ask and beg and whine and plead. How would that be any different from the last five years?
We certainly wouldn't want to disappoint her.
Reader Comments (784)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2010 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
226-250 251-275 276-300 301-325 326-350 351-375 376-400 401-425
426-450 451-475 476-500 501-525 526-550 551-575 576-600 601-625
626-650 651-675 676-700 701-725 726-750 751-775 776-784
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
7/7/2006 would be a LOT better for me.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:33 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1069
NYmphTonks says:
Oh man I'm so excited to get the last and 7th book!! That would be pretty cool to have the release on 07/07/07!! Of course because she has revealed that 7 is a magical number for many reasons!! I'm also so excited to see OotP, HBP, and the final film!! It's going to be sad as well though! It's like the end of an era, but it will never be the end of the magic!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:35 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 28
Neville Bigbottom says:
I hope so but I don't wanna wait that long! I mean That's a year and a half. It goves me plenty of time to re-read the others though....
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2175
Andromeda Meliflua says:
I like this number 7 theory, it's ver interesting, I always love symbolic stuff. I know it would be a looooooooooong time to wait for book 7 if it was in fact released in 07/07/07 (more than a year!!! *gasp*) but it would mean that Harry's adventures wouldn't come to an end as soon. I am dreading the release of the last book because it will be the last.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:43 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 315
Esmeralda says:
That's pretty cool but it is such a long time to wait. I saw an interview with her on A&E and she said that book 7 was already written. She held up a big folder and showed it to the camera and said "this is it." So why would it be a year and a half before it came out?
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:52 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1083
JDPotter says:
Oh man! I can't wait! At least I've finally got a release date for book 7! Yahooo!I'm so obsessed!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:55 PM EST
Student
Points: 253
greeneyes says:
That would be pretty awesome if it came out on 7/7/07, but I was thinking she might have it done a little bit earlier. And 7 is my favorite number, so i guess it's ok.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:56 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1083
JDPotter says:
I just hope it will come out then! It could be later, if you think about it. I'm sure JKR is gonn take her time writing the last book. It has to be perfect!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:59 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1100
fire and brimstone says:
That would be sweet to have the book come out in two years. I am all for it.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:59 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
GinnyRocksMySocks says:
I have been thinking that this might be a possibility since the release date for the 6th book was announced and it came out 2 years after book 5. If it's released 7/7/07 then that would be 9 days shy of 2 years after book 6's release. Although with the new baby I didn't know if she would start working right away on the book or not, but she has now said that is what she is doing all of '06. It seems just right that that is what should happen. I certainly hope it works out like that. It would be a great way to close the series.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:01 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
Draco Malfoy_Lover says:
Oh i'm happy to know when it's coming out and everything but i want it really soon because i'm running out of other books to read while i'm bored. But it's the last book so she needs to take her time on it to get it just right and everything like that. Well i just can't wait to have the 7th book in my hands to read!!! At lest we all have the movies to watch while we're waiting for her to finish.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:02 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 44
Gryffindor`s Intruder says:
Hey..in 07/07/07 i will complete 7 years old, i have 7 brothers, my lucky number is 7, and i was born at 7:00 pm.
.....hehehe..that`s not true, but i can`t wait for the book!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:04 PM EST
Lupin's Eternal Love
Points: 3094
BlackKatL says:
That such a cool coincidence!!!!! I wish we didn´t have to wait soooooo long. Why not have movie 5 in 2006? The book needs all the time of the world to be finised perfectly. but movie 5 is perfect for 2006 and we would not face a cero Harry Year.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:15 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 10
potter rox says:
This is not fair! 07 is too too to to far away! JKR, if u can read this, i love ur books. Please try to get it out before then! i m onning mad waiting now! just think wat two more years will do to my brain!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1801
FatMike says:
Wow now we have got a date... The wait will be gruesome from now on, i imagine every single fa thinking, counting the days, even crossing them of in the calendar...
Wow one and a half year is a long, long wait...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 790
The Flying Ford Anglia says:
AAAAAHHH I CAN'T WAIT!!! That's all I have to say.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2401
tonks 27 says:
Holy cow....and i thought i was a dedicated harry potter freak! i didn't even think about the release date! just earlier today i was wondering what on earth i'm going to do for the next year and a half....no new hp movies or books coming out....guess i'll just rewatch all the movies and reread (for the umpteenth time) all the books and look forward to 07/07/07!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:25 PM EST
Insufferable Know-it-all
Points: 5058
Happy Hedwig says:
I had been wondering about that actually... I think it would be a brilliant idea.... I wonder if ther will be 777 pages as well? Just a thought! :P
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 221
beautiful_tragedy15 says:
Oh my god. i cant wait for this book...when it comes out im ging to cry because its the last
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:27 PM EST
The Quibbler Poet
Points: 7054
.:Wicked T:. says:
That is pretty cool! I don't mind waiting a year and a half but that is pretty cool 7/7/07! Awesome sooooooooooo awesome.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:30 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 399
pixichik118 says:
Hahaha!
That would be so cool if the book was released that day! It's PERFECT!
I hope she does, it seems pretty good timing and everything!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:30 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
another*weasley says:
I am glad to hear the news on book 7. However, it is going to be a very long wait but worth the it. In all honesty I do hope the book gets released much sooner. Like the rest of you I am very anxious to know what happens.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:31 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1370
hellothere says:
07/07/07 That has such a catchy ring to it! I just wish the seventh book will be out on 07/07/07! That would be so cool and so amazing!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:31 PM EST
Squib
Points: 131
iMnOtInSaNe says:
Yes! Finally, a set date! 7/7/07...how perfect! I've been waiting to find out...I feel like screaming! I'm possibly one of the craziest Potter fans around! Oh!Oh! July 7, 2007! Oh! Oh! Let the almighty, all-knowing countdown begin!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:58 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2474
Leina D. says:
I feel the magic already!
Seven being a significantly magical number in the wizarding world of Harry Potter and magic. I cannot wait until that faithful day the last book is released.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 6:58 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1004
Draco~Angel says:
That would be amazing if it comes in july. My friends and I thought it make take longer. I hope the lucky number is 7. AHHH I can't wait. Go HP #7
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:04 PM EST
226-250 251-275 276-300 301-325 326-350 351-375 376-400 401-425
426-450 451-475 476-500 501-525 526-550 551-575 576-600 601-625
626-650 651-675 676-700 701-725 726-750 751-775 776-784
Back to top of page