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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.
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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
Wizard
Points: 621
agagagagagagag says:
akljdkljei. That was my response when i read this. I think I peed just a little when i read it. Im seriously freaking out multiple times
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 888
HarrySiriusly says:
I personally think Jo has been planning this for quite some time, she has said in many places that 7 is a very magical number in the wizarding world. So, 07/07/07 is very appropriate, but lets not get our hopes up because it very well may take longer than that, book writing is not easy. Although, i am very excited to hear SOMETHING about a release date and am very excited but sadened at the same time because it means there is no more . . .
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:09 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1918
not*so*sweet*strawberry says:
Oh my gosh... this is perfect... Almost... too perfect...
I would love to see it out sooner, but that would be so cool if it came out then...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:10 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 458
#1:HarryPotterFan says:
That would be awesome. But thats so far away! :(
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 733
PotterHoney says:
Um, I like the number 7, it's my favorite in fact, but I couldn't possibly wait that long!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:13 PM EST
Squib
Points: 151
airlift says:
Hello How do you open the door?
I still need to find some of the objects.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:14 PM EST
Points: 1625
Horcrux_Destroyer says:
It definetely is sometime very interesting and I can't beleive I didn't see the sevens before. I do hope that JK akes the book out then but i don't mind if it doesn't happen. I just want to read that book asap.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:24 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2767
Professor Grubbly-Plank says:
I would love for it to be released then. It makes perfect sense.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:26 PM EST
Student
Points: 232
Midnight_Amethyst says:
I feel rather...weird right now since thise person who wrote this article meantioned my name. It was not directed AT me, but it still gives you a weird feeling because I really and truly almost DID have a heartattack when reading this. I must say, that would be the most interesting thing that's happened to me (besides breaking my leg from walking straight into a moving van in 3rd grade). That date would DEFINETLY remind fans that that would be one the final book is released. If it turns out to be true or not, we shall see.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:26 PM EST
Boredom's G-Unit
Points: 6616
Hermy's Homeboy says:
Wow...that is amazing. I find it a bit troubling though that I have to wait soooooooooooo long for the book. O well..this news made my day!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 739
The 4th Champion says:
I want the book to come out and I don't. I don't want to see it end, but I want to read the book!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2353
Loretta says:
There is a difference in there being a seven in the book verses 2007. I think the girl will take her sweet time in getting this book out.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:45 PM EST
Ron's Secret-Keeper
Points: 3381
Hermione Puckle says:
WOOO! We finally know how long we will have to wait! Thank God!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:46 PM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2755
Dobby says:
Well, I suppose she could also wait 70 years and have it released 7/7/77. Just kidding, that would be awful. That'd be great to see a 2007 release date, but I don't want it to be released too soon, I want her to take her time to make it the best book yet.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:49 PM EST
Squib
Points: 151
airlift says:
To dobby
good to know that in 70 years i'm
very likely to still alive just in case.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:56 PM EST
Squib
Points: 151
airlift says:
Can anybody tell me how to open the door?
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 7:58 PM EST
Hermione's Sister
Points: 5595
~Dark Fairy~ says:
Well we knew that was already going to 'might' happen...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:01 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27754
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
That would be very cool!!!
7/7/07!!! wooo
I hope that it is soon though...............like less than 2 years would be nice.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1621
*stirmycauldron. says:
wow!! CAnt wait! I'll be 15 then! hehe sounds awesome
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 640
RMSginnay says:
That is beyond freaky!! Its really a good theory
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:30 PM EST
Every Flavored Bean
Points: 2881
the bean says:
That would be a wonderful piece of marketing if she can get it finished in time. Although I'm sure she has already written part of it...if it is as long as she says it might be, it would be a miracle if she does finish it in time for editing and all that for a 07/07/07 release.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:31 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 463
SinisterSnakeSennin says:
*smacks his forehead* Duh! Should've seen that one coming. I'm off to hang myself for not noticing that sooner...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:34 PM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
That would be great on so many levels. I really want her to take her time with writing the last Harry Potter book and will be unable to get my greeding hands on it whent it does get released!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:41 PM EST
Points: 861
happy_firebolt says:
That would be great.. after all, there is never going to be another 07/07/07!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1506
Paint Horse says:
It would bea great idea. However, I think JK, may just take a little longer in writing the last volume. There are a lot of questions she should answer.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:44 PM EST
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