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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.
Reader Comments (784)
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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
Muggle
Points: 65
Mollie says:
That would be perfect but I fear we may not see book seven until 2008, it is a very important book to be finished and no doubt JK will take her time with it.
Posted Jan 7, 2006 at 10:58 PM EST
Squib
Points: 173
Harry and Ginny says:
Wow!!! Book 7 , July , 07 , 2007 , many 7!!!
Will there have 7 people died?????
Posted Jan 8, 2006 at 4:23 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 771
Toushiro Hitsugaya says:
That'll be interesting! I hope so its a good date.. But it could've been earlier.
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MadaXe Munkee
Posted Jan 8, 2006 at 9:52 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
bubblegum says:
It would be so cool but then again it's sad because it is the last one (cry) and also the same day as the bombing but I hope book 7 comes out on 07/07/07 it would be really great.
Posted Jan 8, 2006 at 11:54 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
bubblegum says:
It would be so cool but then again it's sad because it is the last one (cry) and also the same day as the bombing but I hope book 7 comes out on 07/07/07 it would be really great.But i can't wait that long. (sigh)
Posted Jan 8, 2006 at 11:58 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 408
randomnessthoughts says:
Oh my god! That'd be soo freaky but cool!
Posted Jan 8, 2006 at 3:46 PM EST
Points: 2731
Tri Wizard Champion says:
Wow, auswome. I missed this news because i was on holiday. But cook. 7/7/07 charming. Although 14th would be better-its my birthday!
TWC
Posted Jan 9, 2006 at 3:25 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 10
Stesi says:
Yeh that would be GREAT of it came out on the 07/07/07,scary but great. but i just dunno if i can wait a whole year and a half to find out what happens!!! arrgggg!!
Posted Jan 9, 2006 at 3:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 570
AvalonKarma says:
Well this would just make my day! Another july release would be Perfect!! Right in time for my birthday :)
Posted Jan 9, 2006 at 7:26 PM EST
Points: 52
vEeLaDuSt says:
I think it would be areally weird but cool coincidence that the seventh book come on the 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year of the millenium 2000.
Posted Jan 9, 2006 at 11:32 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 79
scrad13 says:
J.K has to push for this date for the worldwide release, it's perfect!
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 4:27 AM EST
Points: 220
Nutty89 says:
I do honestly think the whole 7/7/07 thing could happen.
But it would be a very long wait..
I do hope that it comes out 2006......
I can't wait any longer for it
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 10:20 AM EST
Points: 220
Nutty89 says:
I hope the book comes out 2006.
I would be cool if the 7 theory does happen
BUT I NEED THE BOOK NOW AHHHHHH!
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 10:27 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 59
Violet_Le_Veela says:
The date is indeed perfect.A good way to say, " this is not a ordinary book release, its harry potter!! a special date for the most wanted book in the world!!!
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 10:44 AM EST
Points: 379
Pimpina says:
7/7/O7 is as good as any other date....personally I'd prefer the book to come out this instant.But it would be an excellent marketing ploy.
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 11:27 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1530
ginny weasleypants says:
T'would be a very neat thing. I always like nice and neat numbers...really, all these numbers being different, you'd think they had absolutely no manners.
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 7:25 PM EST
Points: 5
gogirl619 says:
i would love for hp7 to come out that soon..and following trends with the others, i believe theres a good chance. although, before this comment about 7/7/07 came out..a lot of people thought book 7 would come out on June 21, because when they are in the department of mysteries in book 5, prophecies crash and say "...at the Solstice will come a new..." "...and none will come after..." (pg 785 american ootp). a lot of jkr's riddles and prophecies or predictions come true (ie. ron and harry's predicitons for divination come true in a sense, and theres a great article on mugglenet about the triwizard riddles http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/editorials/edit-kirstieer02.shtml) so many have predicted that this means that "none will come after", book 7, when "the solstice will come a new" at the solstice. following the pattern, the books come out june/july, so june 21, is the summer solstice. just a theory (theres another comment somewhere on mugglenet regarding this theory). its only a guess, and the 7/7/07 is definetly just as valid, seeing as 7 is the most magical number according to numerous people, including dumbledore and slughorn. write back if you have an opinon!
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 9:55 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 446
Phoenix Lament <3 says:
I really like # 7 now!!!!!!!! Dont you?????
I think she planned this a looooong time ago
Posted Jan 10, 2006 at 10:08 PM EST
Squib
Points: 173
Harry Potter lover2010 says:
7/7/07- I can't wait that long!!! o well guess i'll have to!!
Posted Jan 12, 2006 at 3:06 PM EST
Squib
Points: 158
Lilian87 says:
I sure hope that the 7th book will be released in July. I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this new masterpiece from J. K. Rowling, because it sure is going to be one. I wish Mrs Rowling the best of luck and hope she doesn't tire herself out too much!:)
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 12:30 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 392
Magni says:
people we should make a petition and send it to J.K.R., we should tell her to make the 7th book the thickest one yet. It should be at least 1000 pages, it should be big enough to connect all the pieces of the story, explain all that has been lef unsaid, and create a perfect ending for this amazing story! Just a thought!
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 5:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Hermison says:
I hope that the Seventh book comes out soon, I hope that it is as good as all the others.
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 5:41 PM EST
Aquatic Guardian Angel
Points: 7427
[Insert Cool Name Here] says:
Yeah I would have thought that be it. Me and my friends were actually joking about it. HAHA Still Im not sure I can wait that long. :( Looks like im gonna have to.
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 6:53 PM EST
Squib
Points: 107
OMEN_OF_DEATH says:
I really hope it is sooner than that!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 9:07 PM EST
Student
Points: 272
StaceyV2220 says:
I don't want to wait that long, but that would be cool. However, dates cannot be preordained because it all depends on when she finishes writing and how long it takes to edit. I commend JKR on her dedication to her children. However, we all know that if she has another, we may have to wait even longer.
Posted Jan 13, 2006 at 10:17 PM EST
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