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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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Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
WOw I never thought that book 7 will be released on 7/7/2007.she might do that after all 7 is a very powerful number in the magical world
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:08 AM EST
Professor
(Moderator)
Points: 1180
Vermin Jerky says:
Oh, oops. I should have read more carefully. Nevermind. *blushes* My little eyes just skipped right over that word "Commentary."
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:15 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1013
hpotter_gweasley says:
If the theory is true, it would be wonderful, it means the book is not too far away, only another 1.5 years to go (yikes!!!) ...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:31 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
gandalfthegray says:
WOw I never thought that book 7 will be released on 7/7/2007.she might do that after all 7 is a very powerful number in the magical world
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:35 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 86
Glan says:
Ow! how long... One day after my 15'th birthsday...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:54 AM EST
Master of Mystery
Points: 3873
Major Threat says:
Well, that would be a really cool coincidence. All lucky 7s... hahaha.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 3:09 AM EST
The Warrior Sorceress
Points: 3333
Devilish Katlyn says:
I can hope, though. Can't I?
Please, PLEASE let it be 7/7/07!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 3:32 AM EST
Student
Points: 221
flrt_311 says:
It would be great if it came out in '06 but if it doesn't come out until '07 ok. As long as it's sooner rather than later than 7/7/07.....
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:06 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1658
I luv to play Seeker says:
The reasoning sounds really cool, but I really don't want to wait that long.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:20 AM EST
Squib
Points: 180
AurorMish says:
7....Now I'm starting to think that the the number seven has got to do with something that makes Harry defeat voldemort at the very end. (besides the horcruxes)
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:03 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
that wopuld have been really cool, but it's a long wait though:P
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:06 AM EST
Queen of Magical Divas
Points: 4336
Ezzy says:
I don't whant to wait that long. If we could get the book sooner why will we wait till the 7. I hope we get it sooner.
Happy New Years
Ezzy
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:26 AM EST
Points: 3289
Crimson_Tears says:
That's great can't wait 'til july 7 07/07/07 that's a awesome date Accio 07/07/07
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 700
MGentry says:
Although very soon, I would be much happier if it were released Christmastime 2006. I think this is possible even though it is usually 2 years between the books because Jo knows exactly where she wants this book to go and because she has already said that a good bit of the book has already been written.
Besides it means I won't have to wait until 2007. Patience is not one of my virtues!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:17 AM EST
Slytherin's Golden Locket
Points: 7863
Lady oF Shadows says:
Excellent date! book 7, on the 07/07/07! haha excellent, oooh i really wanna read it, too much suspense! yet i dunno if i want to read it, i got so used to HP to realise its finally over...!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:18 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1213
illusionist says:
Good things come to those who wait. Writing a book takes time. Not to mention the whole editing process that comes afterward which may last months. I wouldn't mind if book 7 didn't come out until 2008. (I hope it'll be somewhat longer than book 6, too.)
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:21 AM EST
Squib
Points: 120
Happiest When Reading HP says:
Maybe someone should write to Jo and suggest it, as a sort of idea. ;) BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST IDEA EVER TO RELEASE Book 7 on 07/07/07, not that I want to wait that long. But in the wiccan traditions the number 7 is SUPER important, and this way she could be extra pleasing to whatever is out there and ensure the ABSOLUTE success (not that it wont be anyways)... well, I should stop rambling... SOMEONE SHOULD WRITE HER THOUGH AND SUGGEST It....
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:42 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 447
giavanna says:
Wow!!!I never saw that coming!!It is very possible I guess.And
yeah Happiest When Reading HP someone should write to her.But on second thought,no please dont suggest thet to her!!!!!It would be best if she just relieshed the book earlier!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:46 AM EST
Snape's Advocate
Points: 7161
Snape's Bodyguard says:
It would be really cool if it was the release date!
I am hoping that it will be sooner though!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 7:09 AM EST
Squib
Points: 166
R.E.D.Fan says:
Thats brilliant,great and what ever good and brilliant and great words that I didn't mention just now..
I really really cant wait for book 7 to be released..
I hope its that day it self!!!
I can't wait to read it!!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 7:29 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1941
tsvety says:
Book 7. 07/07/07-cool, but I don't want to wait that long. :P
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 7:36 AM EST
Head
Points: 585
monkida says:
I can't wait 07/07/07 for book 7.
Oh! 7 is not a very good number in Chinese culture.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 8:02 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
sarahpatrick says:
Whoa!!!
lucky number!!!
07/07/07....
coolll
can't wait till im 17...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 8:06 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 86
Moose_Crossing says:
Ahhhhhh!!!!!! It HAS to be released then. The last potter book will be a landmark, so it might as well have a cool release date!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
OH PLEASE LET IT BE 2007 JULY 7TH!!!I hope it is...too much significance!! The magical number..saturday...the terrorist ttacks and also..*drumroll* MY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:09 AM EST
Witch
Points: 517
I <3 Rupert Grint says:
That would be so cool if it came out on 07/07/07 this will be the first one of her books that i will get to countdown to because the rest i read a while after they came out. So yeayy!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:27 AM EST
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