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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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Muggle
Points: 31
Minister of Mystery says:
07/07/07, that would be really great (magical). But if it is released 07/07/07 it's 533 days left.
Well, that is sufficient time to re-read the other 6 books.
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 10:48 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
That would be interesting!
Sammy_10 : the book isn't necissarily coming out on that date, its just a theory.
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 11:19 AM EST
Witch
Points: 845
hermione624 says:
I wish she would have the book done by july 7th 2007. But that probabdly wouldn't happen. It's probably going to be anouther few years, not one. That would've been a cool coincidence.
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 11:23 AM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
It sounds SO PERFECT that I really WANT TO BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
P.S. HAPPY NEW YEAR, HPANA!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!!!
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1348
~*Veela Grl *~ says:
THat would be so cool! the last book was so good and I can't wait for book seven! it is going to be great!
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 12:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 284
Slytherin Angel says:
I was saying that the 4th movie was too long for it to come out.........well the 7th book coming out by July 7, 2007......Nooooo...............I want to read it right now....I cant wait 2 years
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 12:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1004
heart_hArrY says:
JULY 7TH wooot wooot. BUT to be totally honest i don't suspect it to be taht day. only because it seems just tooo perfect if you know what i mean.
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 1:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 580
KarateKid says:
July 7th... That's the day of the London bombings. If she releases it then, I'll cry :|
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 1:51 PM EST
Dancing in the Rain
Points: 3118
~*harry's girl*~ says:
That would be cool. I don't get it, though...is it coming out on 07/07/07? Or are we just talking about how cool it would be?
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 3:06 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 11
T.M. Riddle says:
I cant wait that long...errrr but my birthday is close to there so it must be spectacular!!!!
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 4:32 PM EST
Princess of Nargles
Points: 4137
hp_fan206 says:
Wow! HAHA. That is defintiely something I didn't expect to hear so soon! I actually really hope that it will be released that day so that we can see this whole number 7 thing come true. Really freaky stuff.
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 5:48 PM EST
Squib
Points: 161
Snivellusspy says:
I would love it if book 7 was released on 7/7/07 especially because it would be around my birthday (7/15). Also that thing about the number 7 being a magical number and the 7 horcruxes that are going to play a key role in the book would make it the perfect last Harry Potter book release.
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 5:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 795
MinervaFan says:
Someone at work had come up with this theory a few weeks ago. I thought that, if Harry is going to live, perhaps the book would come out on his birthday. If he is going to die, perhaps it would come out on Voldemort's birthday.
Do we know when Voldemort's birthday is?
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 6:40 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
Who the leader of the club?
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 8:12 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
i just Cant wait to get the book in my hand (OOHH, my precious).
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 8:13 PM EST
Squib
Points: 152
Kathy_Lovegood says:
Im just way too excited!!!
i can't wait until book 7!!!
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 8:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
MaeMuffin[DOT] says:
*wwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa*
I can't wait that long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the coincidence seemes a little large though
17 of age in wizarding world
7 years in Hogwarts
7HP books (so far)
I thought vault 713 (vault that held the sorcer's stone) was just a bit of Muggle irony
7= lucky muggle # most powerful magic #
13=unlucky muggle #
*sigh*
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 9:13 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
MaeMuffin[DOT] says:
*sorry 4 double post*
HAPPY NEW YEAR HPANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(I have 2 do this for my B.F.F.)
REBEL
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 9:22 PM EST
Weasley Garden Faerie
Points: 4481
Tamlynn says:
This would really be a great release date and an excellent way to promote the final book. I do wish book 7 would come out sooner though. My husband's birthday is July 7th. :)
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 9:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 870
caraMEL_penguin says:
that would be really cool!!! I would love that too... <333 I can't wait till the next book comes out!!! I'll be waiting though because there is nothing else I can do... <333
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 9:49 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 94
JenT says:
It would be cool if they do that. Its the perfect year!
Posted Dec 31, 2005 at 11:29 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Wow with the way all the sevens line up, it almost seems to perfect to happen! I only wish we didn't have to wait a year and a half for it...,
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 12:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 916
aishaishaisha says:
I've never been to a midnight release party but my dad says he'll take me when book 7 comes out. Because I pre-ordered the book this year and the shop closest to me wasn't opening at midnight (I was so gutted). I hope it comes out of 07/07/07, the day before my birthday! That'd be so kewl. Hey, I could have an early b-day party and take my mates with me! How cool would that be???
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 8:41 AM EST
Witch
Points: 916
aishaishaisha says:
Heeeeey! I just realized. The number 7. It's important in HP. When Voldemort asked Slughord about horcruxes he said the number 7 was a powerful magical number. Voldemort has 7 horcruxes. Gawd! That would be so freaky! But cool of course!
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 8:44 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 52
HPfReAk92 says:
WOW........Im soooo excited for the 7th book to come out!!!!!!AWESOME.......but also kinda sad cause that's gonna be the last and most significant book of the harry potter saga...and its also gonna be the key to all our questions and will conceal answers bout everything........but still the legend will live on.....but I really dont want Harry potter to die......well anyways we'll have plenty of time to think bout that!!!!!
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 9:07 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
harry potter_fan says:
yes,just one year left.i can't wait for the seventh.hurry up 2007!And i also cant wait for the enciclopedia
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 9:37 AM EST
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