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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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Squib
Points: 159
hpfan4lifexoxo says:
Oh My Gosh!!! I cant wait!!! Im so going to cry becaus there isnt going to be anymore books after that! =( O my Gosh!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:15 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
it would be really cool, but it is awfully far away i don't think i could wait that long, *sighs*. Let JK Rowling decide
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 508
LunaLovegoodDA says:
AHH I CAN'T WAIT!! I love how its 7/7/07. I don't know if I can wait that long!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:15 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1246
hermionetheknowitall says:
My mommys birthday is june 7th thats so cool!
now ill have to rember her birthday!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
Won Won Luver says:
Wow! That is so perfect!! i never even thought of that before!! I mean 7 is such a powerful number in the magic world! ANd it ALSO happens to be my fave number. I mean this sounds exactly like the thing JKR would do..i mean she does this pattern thing that no one else notices before and at the end springs it on us! And it would be such a hectic time!! i mean ootp would be releasing at that time!! WOW i cant wait!!!!!! And the dreadful part is that its the LAST book! The last time we can wait in line...last time we can see it on the news...last time we get excited to open it...soo sad!! sniff sniff. But i also cant wait that long! I mean 2006 is JST gonna start, and its coming out in the middle of 2007! SIGH! Well i guess we have to give jo her time if we want her to rite the best book yet!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:21 PM EST
Dumbledore's Protégé
Points: 3558
Harree Potter says:
[i]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[i] -
It sounds so much like it is not a coincidence.
How could Jo be so lucky to get a date and day like that? It will go down in history as one of the best marketing opportunities in the world.
What would make it even better is if the book was released at 7:07
Hehehehe.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:23 PM EST
Head
Points: 408
This is fun! says:
Ditto about most of what's been said. That would be pretty cool and, even though I can't wait for it to come out, if we had a specific release date like that, I could probably be patient. I just want the book to be good.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:24 PM EST
Dumbledore's Protégé
Points: 3558
Harree Potter says:
If this is a double post - extreme sorrys. :(
Unfortunately, July 7 will also be the one-year anniversary of the London terrorist bombings (thanks to a site member for pointing that out). -
That may be so, but she could dedicate the book to those who were affected.
And I'm sure Jo has probably been envisioning that date for at least longer than the bombings.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:27 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
Somehow, I knew all that, but it was each in separate parts of mind and it didn't click until I read that. Thanks Cheeser! It would be so awesome to have it released then, but I think half the population would have a mass heartattack about all the sevens. Wouldn't it be weird if, all this time, she had planned it?
*The MRS*
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:27 PM EST
Points: 10161
GodricGryffindor says:
ahhh! as usual i jumped to conclusions and this almost made me start the countdown again in my MSN name. ahhh How I can't wait to be able to countdown again, I miss the HBP countdown.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
mrs radcliffe/potter says:
Ithink it would be a super cool coincidence, but kinda freaky but I dont really care about the date...I just want to read it as soon as possible! I cant wait to find out what happens to Harry, I just dont want him to die!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:32 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
Ohh I am sooo happy! Such wonderful news! I am glad to hear that the book will be out in 2007. That only means that the anticipation will last and so will the HP series. The longer it takes the better (well not too long *wink*)
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1968
Silverblood says:
Ha-ha! I think that was very clever of JKR - 07/07/07! But I can't wait that long! But at the same time I don't want this book to come out. I just can't believe that it is finally the last book!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:34 PM EST
Points: 10161
GodricGryffindor says:
Oh yeah, and I'm sure if JKR becomes aware of this which she probably will since we know she comes to HPANA then it would probably intrest her... I really hope she decides to release it on this date...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 842
Books and Cleverness says:
What a coincidence! I wander if J.K planned this when she released GoF. I think it will come out on 7/7/07 it would be awesome! Although I can't wait another micro second for book 7!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:36 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
bruja-blanca says:
Oh my God.....I hate this ....first I star enjoying somethink like the kne movie or the lates book and then....crash...the countdown stars again......556 days to go......
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:37 PM EST
Points: 10161
GodricGryffindor says:
Well, I don't know if we could start counting down already, we don't know 100% forsure if this is the date....but I so want to have a countdown in my name....
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:38 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 329
Potter-Addict says:
Oh yes!! That would be really great, very significant..But it seems so far i can't wait to read it but at the same time, i don't want all this to end..
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 993
danradcliffelover says:
I new that JKR has hinted many times about the significance of the number 7... However, i never tought that it would be the date of the seventh book! Its too perfect! Finishing destroying the seven Horcruxes, in the seventh on 07/07/07!! Man I love your JKR! You're brilliant! I do wish that I could read the book sooner rather than later, but seeing as most of the past books took about 2 years to write and be put on shelves I'm not surprised at all of her timing. I've stuck a piece of paper on my bulliten board with the date of release already! I can't wait for book seven!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2217
Emma Louise says:
This is AWESOME! That is my 16th birthday!! that will be the best birthday EVER! a) i'm leaving school, b) OoTP film comes out around that time, and now the 7th book will come out! AND its on a saturday! FRIGGIN AWESOME!!! :D
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:44 PM EST
Points: 10161
GodricGryffindor says:
Well, that is most likley the earliest date possible for the book to come out. It will for sure not be out in 2006 since she's begining writing it in Janruary (so soon!)... So yeah, I REALLY home it comes out on July 7th....2007 =D so cool, and if you think about it, it isn't really THAT far away.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:45 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8909
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Would be interesting if true. It is around when we should expect it. Assuming it takes all of 2006 to write that would place its release around that time. Previously, when she finished near Christmas, it was out in June or July. Well it is a goal to hope for.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 804
PadfootsGirl says:
I love this idea, and I think JKR will find it amusing too! It is a brilliant marketing idea...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:51 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 485
I love Mormon Boys says:
That would be a really cool coincidance. I just hope it is sooner I can't wait that long for it to come out.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:52 PM EST
Witch
Points: 531
ronNhermione4evr says:
2007 I can't wait that long. I can't wait to see OotP either. I will see the movie then go get the book!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 169
Ginny Weasley 925 says:
Oh emm gee! That would be amazing if the book came out then
Soo long!
Achkblechbrrr!
I CAN'T WAIT!
~Phersh
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:52 PM EST
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