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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: 47
Cute Ginny says:
In one way, I think the whole 7 thing is soo super cool!!But I don't want to wait that long!!!
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 12:08 AM EST
Points: 1
reaper says:
I dont know if anyone else has noticed this but if you use numerology on the release date of half prince which was july 16 2005 youll also get the numbers 777. The release date was the 7/16/2005. The month was the 7th the day 16 (1+6= 7) and year 2005 (2+0+0+5=7) Is the # 7 that important. so what do you guys think, is this a coinsedence ? I Dont know but this makes me think shes definetly releasing the 7th book on 7/7/7
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 4:19 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 6
-DanRad- says:
I think its come very interesting and really Cool:D
Daniel Radcliffe its my favorite actor :D
Book 5 is my favorite:D
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 7:43 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2334
Chahat says:
Its a very interesting theory and I hope it comes true cause its either June-July 2007 or 2008 and I dont want to wait that long!!!!!!!!
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 9:35 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 78
Trackangel06 says:
I cannot believe that we've all got to wait sooo long! However, I'm guessing that it will be worth the wait. J.K. is completely brilliant, and her writing has steadily gotten better since the first installment of the series.
And it's a super cool coinsidence (did I spell that right? Nevermind...)! Personally, I think that J.K. sould write up a follow-up story to let us know what happens to the gang in the future! That is, of course, unless she puts it in the book!
trackangel06
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 12:52 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 339
Count Olaf says:
If this happens i will KILL myself!I cannot wait that much!!!
Thank god its just a theory!
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 1:44 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
While a release date of 7/7/07 would be magically significant... I just can't stand to wait that long for the 7th HP book. I'm not too picky on when it comes out. Just that it gets here sooner than later!
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 6:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 883
Bossy Boots says:
That is pure genius. Plain and simple. I could wait that long. I hope. Hehe. The whole 7 thing is so cool how it all lines up like that. I sure hope that JK takes full advantage of this. Not that she needs to worry about marketing. I would almost rather wait until 07/07/07 to read the 7th book, because it's the last one. I want to savor every last drop of HP! (Sniff) I'm getting choked up already!!!! I need a minute alone! Sniff!
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 8:14 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 40
harrypotterfreak93 says:
That is so cool I really hope that book seven comes out 7/7/2006 (didn't it say something about that in the article hold on let me check oh well when ever it is released the sooner the better
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 9:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 592
DracoFanatica says:
i don;t really care when it comes out just so long as it comes out and i get it. I really want to read and see how everything works out. All the cliffhangers in the 6th book are driving me crazy >.<
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 11:41 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 96
msg021 says:
Thats pretty sweet, i wish it was sooner...... but hey its all good i hope that its the longest book of em all.
Posted Jan 4, 2006 at 12:07 AM EST
Cryptologist
Points: 3018
Veronica Smethley says:
Well, I hope it's no later than July 2007 because I really would be impatient then...
Posted Jan 4, 2006 at 5:34 AM EST
Points: 8027
deemz says:
Oh My God!! my best friends birthday is on 7\7 WOW!! talking about coincidence.
Posted Jan 4, 2006 at 8:57 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3045
Tinker.belle says:
I had already been thinking of that before!! It's a perfect date
Posted Jan 4, 2006 at 11:01 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 38
Mafer says:
Well...that's a good number...but too long for me to wait!
Posted Jan 4, 2006 at 9:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
That would be really cool. I can't wait until it comes out, especially on 07/07/07. 5 days after my birthday!
Posted Jan 4, 2006 at 10:53 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2018
Marauder Girl says:
That's a great theory! I wonder if we're onto something here...?
But I don't know if I could wait that long...I want to read the book soon! Or maybe I don't. I can't make up my mind :)
Posted Jan 5, 2006 at 8:52 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 38
WouldBeGinny says:
The opportunity of release date being 070707 is just too good to pass up! Lucky for us we have awesome HP sites to keep us entertained while we wait!!
Posted Jan 5, 2006 at 10:12 AM EST
Squib
Points: 114
daniel fawaz says:
The final book come finaly and ends the storie of Harry, the boy who lived! But I see that it is rather sad! By this book this famous adventure that has been known by almost evry one in the world will be ended, it's like Harry's life will stop of existing! I personaly feel exitment joined by sadness!
Posted Jan 5, 2006 at 4:07 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2349
PHOENIX5625 says:
Number 7 she said is a very magical. I think it will be just like her to release it on that date.
Posted Jan 5, 2006 at 6:47 PM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
That will be an exciting news. Book 7 on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year 2007. But really, ms. Rowling, take your time in your writing. Don't rush. Either way, we will wait for the excitement yet to come.
Posted Jan 6, 2006 at 1:01 PM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
That is wonderful if this is true (I hope it is). Book 7 to be published on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year 2007. Ms Rowling, don't rush in your writing, we shall wait for your surprise ending.
Posted Jan 6, 2006 at 1:07 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 83
HPfan2002 says:
I don't think I can wait that long!
Posted Jan 6, 2006 at 10:23 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 356
Mosa says:
Intressting, very intresting! I like it the idea, but don't really care. I just want ed read it and will buy any time of the year!
Posted Jan 7, 2006 at 2:21 AM EST
Princess of Cleverness
Points: 5207
unicorn_purple says:
7th book on 07/07/07 and the defeat of the 7 Horcruxes that would be perfect though a coincidence.
Posted Jan 7, 2006 at 2:48 AM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Livia De Romanus says:
It would ruin it if someone got a hold of it in canada before hand, yet again *twitches* and I don't think I could wait that long, I want it to be good and long if I do, to describe in full any deaths that occur if I have to wait that long, I don't wanna!
Posted Jan 7, 2006 at 7:53 PM EST
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