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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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Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
I ask myself if there are bets on the release date? It sounds quite logic, but first JK Rowling should take all the time she needs to finish her writing. I think it is not important to aim at a special date. It is more important to be totally satisfied with what she is writing.
By the way, I'd like this date. There are summer holidays in Germany and this leads me to planning another trip to London then right now!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 570
minister of muggles says:
If that really is the release date, that would be great. I can't wait to read the last book, just hearing about the release date makes me happy.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:05 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1022
Padfoot Jr. says:
Great idea, i agree, but like the first post, i don want to wait that long.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:12 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
That is some theory!
07/07/07. That is like the perfect way to end the series by releasing book 7 on that date.
It just fits so perfectly.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:32 PM EST
Points: 466
sillyxjuney says:
oo i cant wait!! by 2007, I'll be like 18 already.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:34 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3837
hermionefan1 says:
That would be pretty awesome if it was released on 7/7/07. What a unique date and it would be like the other ones released on a Sat.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:34 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 429
heva 'bev' says:
I think taht would be very odd, and a strange occurance, but i dont want to have to wait as long as that, i want it next year i just can't wait that long!!!!!!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 925
loony_futuregirl2 says:
That would be awesome!!! I mean it's perfect! Also...coincidence that 7 people are following this topic???
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3281
Tenshi says:
You know, that'd be cool if it *was* released in 07/07/07. *sigh* The series is almost over! wah! ah well, I'll make the most of it... definitely going to the midnight party! :)
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
I think whenever it comes out I will be having a huge party with my friends! That 7 7 7 idea is really cool though!
I want to read it so bad but then it will be sad when it ends...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:51 PM EST
Student
Points: 208
GOHermione says:
Nice thought, but can we wait that long?
NO
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 862
Wolfsbane Moon says:
That would be AWESOME!!!!!! I really hope JKR releases her book then!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:17 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 387
The Master Warlock says:
I MUST kNOW!!! I WANT THE BOOK NOW!!! Alas...I'm no the on making all the decisions, though...or ther'd be more than seven books!!!
Wah-Wah-WAAAH!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:23 PM EST
Student
Points: 251
#1Dan/Rupert/Emma*Fan* says:
If it is released then it would be cool because 7/7/2007 is 3 days before my B-day so I could get it as an early present. But I don't think I could wait that long because I really want to find out what happens to Harry. I think rumor says that Harry dies so I really want to Know how he died!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1031
HPfanatic10 says:
It's a great day to release the book, because of its "magical" value, but I wish it were a lot less than a one and a half year wait!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:12 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
It looks like we're going to have to wait a pretty long while until we get to finally read book seven. I can't imagine the mess its going to be in stores when it comes out.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1937
Deepti says:
I turn seventeen on [i][u]07/07/07[u][i] so I really hope this theory comes true!!! How absolutely amazing is that?! *Jumps up and down like a mad woman*
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1578
*sweet_angel_baby* says:
That's a cool theory, i think ive heard it before. But it would be cool if the seventh book comes out in the seventh of the year 2007. It even sounds cool!! hahaha, but that would mean that i have to wait for another year and a half at least, great...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:28 PM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
That is really interesting!! Thanks for the great news!!!!Why didnt I come on yesterday????That would be so cool as its a great number AND its my friends birthday!!!.I know its a theory but I HAVE to tell her this.(runs off)
That would be too good to be true.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 606
~*Anna Lily Potter*~ says:
A year and a half is way too long to wait, but I guess the 7/7/07 thing will be pretty cool. I'm confused on one thing though. Will the US get the book at 7:00 pm or midnight???
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:42 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 384
Mafalda Hopkirk says:
I really really hope this is prediction comes true!!! I am ready for book 7 now but willing to wait to give JKR the time to perfect it.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:52 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 529
Dementors Shadow says:
But thats soooo long from now. like a year and a half! wow...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 3:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 596
SlytherinsPerfectPrefect says:
Oh man... I don't think I can wait that long! It would cool super neat if the book did release on 07-07-07... I sort of noticed that there were a lot of stuff that had to do with the number seven, but I really never thought anything of it... Perhaps there is a specific meaning for the number... *ponders*
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 3:11 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 8
Nino Dolohov says:
I think that it might be a good theory you have there, and most of the books have been released in the summertime to not conflict with schooling. The only problem with your theory is that 7/7 is really close to 7/16 wihich is when the last one was released and the pattern isn't in sync. And most American book sotres do not release the books at 7pm like you said, they wait until its midnight so they have more time for their parties and stuff like that. I think it would be a good day to be released on (2 days before my birthday haha), but who can tell at this point? You have some good facts in this theory, I'm not saying that its bad, it's just we're a bit unclear as of now.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 3:41 PM EST
Squib
Points: 171
toms_lilangel says:
If it is that date, i cant wait.(hey, that rhymed).that would be a cool coincidence, although she probley gave that a thought.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1430
Godric's Hallow says:
This can't be true because Rowling would have updated her site already so I don't believe its true. Also did you know that she said she does not give titles to any of the Harry Potter books unitl she is finished with them. So to all you people that are tryin to guess what the title is she does not even know.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:16 PM EST
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