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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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Professor
Points: 1077
ymn11 says:
It's very interesting to see the connection between the number 7's in harry potter. I hope the release date is exactly what it says above.
Posted Jan 19, 2006 at 5:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
I think that's a REALLY GREAT theory I totally agree. Accio July 7,2007.
P.S. That will be the best birthday gift EVER!!!.
Posted Jan 19, 2006 at 8:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
During that time OoTP is also coming out. YEY!!!! I'll have to wait for my "birthday prsents" like 2 weeks!!! YEY!!!!! Accio June 24th And JULY 7,2007!!!!.
Posted Jan 19, 2006 at 9:09 PM EST
Ravenclaw's Songbird
Points: 5199
Khat says:
Am i the sarah being refered to here?? nyahaha.. Because that's my 18th birthday!!!! HOW I WISH!!!
Posted Jan 20, 2006 at 10:22 AM EST
Student
Points: 262
Dobby's_Cute says:
That is so interesting but could it only be a coincidence?? It may have been planned from the beginning, but I still think it is an amazing theory!! I can't wait to see.
Posted Jan 20, 2006 at 1:24 PM EST
Student
Points: 205
PoTTeRcrazey says:
It would be very cool if the book 7 will be released on 07/07/07! it's the perfect date.
Posted Jan 21, 2006 at 11:00 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
cckeimig says:
Yeah, it'd be a cool coincidence. But do we really want to wait THAT long for it to come out?????
Posted Jan 21, 2006 at 11:13 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 95
Horcrunks says:
There has got to be more books but I figured out that RAB is Regulas Black.
Posted Jan 22, 2006 at 10:18 AM EST
Squib
Points: 173
jennjenn22 says:
My only hope is that people keep their mouths shut after reading the last book. That way EVERYONE will find out on their own, and reading will be so much more exciting.
As for the 7/7/07 thing? That's pretty cool, and how! I mean, marketing-wise? Shyeah!
Posted Jan 23, 2006 at 2:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 670
Gryffindor_chick says:
Haha..
people have too much time on their hands.
I just kinda sit back & wait for the book to come.
But I have to admit, that would be a pretty neato kawinki dink
Posted Jan 23, 2006 at 7:55 PM EST
Student
Points: 248
barty'smistress says:
I wonder what the book is going to be called.
J.K.Rowling has started to write the new one already so I guess she must have a title for it!
Iwonder what it is going to be?
Posted Jan 24, 2006 at 11:30 AM EST
Squib
Points: 105
Melizabeth says:
I hope it will be on that day (I love 7s!) or earlier ;)or maybe a little bit later. I want to write my MA paper on Harry Potter and summer holidays 2007 is the furthest date of the book's publication in order for me to read it and have enough time to write my paper.
Posted Jan 25, 2006 at 7:27 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 17
Mystic Rose says:
Seems like an eternity but it will be well worth the wait.
It will be easily remembered and it makes ya want to look for the connection.
Posted Jan 26, 2006 at 1:03 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 17
Mystic Rose says:
That was very interesting. The -5th- Element,
I will have to check out the rest.
Posted Jan 26, 2006 at 1:08 PM EST
Squib
Points: 197
Amber luvs Dan! says:
That would be awsome if it came out then!!!!!
Posted Jan 26, 2006 at 4:25 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 66
Stephii<3 says:
That would be totally awsome if it were to be released on that day, but I am not sure that I can wait so long! =D
Posted Jan 29, 2006 at 4:57 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 80
~#1 DeMeNtOr HuNtEr~ says:
She's probably planed that from the begining. I still wish we didn't have to wait even just one more day though.
Posted Jan 30, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST
Student
Points: 288
Scrofungulus says:
I think this is a too long wait.
But what must be done, must be done...
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 8:32 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 366
HP&StarW says:
Harry Potter and the " " hopefully will be done soon. It's hard to wait so long, especially if it comes out in the year of completion, 7-7-07. It would be an awesome date for it to come out though! It thought about another date on which it could come out. Maybe it can come out on Harry Potter's birthday, 7/31.?.?.?
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 9:04 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1444
RIP_Sirus_and_Dumbledore says:
That would be pretty neat for the 07-07-07 thing, but the US people would get it at midnight also, not at 7 because everybody gets it at midnight, just at their own time. wow that sounds confusing. I got the 6th book at midnight, and I live in teh US.
Posted Feb 1, 2006 at 4:40 PM EST
Punk Rock Princess
Points: 2831
XxX~Rachael~XxX says:
That would just be beyond great! I mean 7 is a magical number and it would be great coz Its a Saturday so I can go to another Midnight release party in town! I CANT WAIT I hope JK does release it on 07/07/07 thats just perfect! and my exams should be over by then! nothing but free time to read! just like with HBP this is all too prefect!
XxX
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 12:14 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
np.hp says:
That`s good news,but i think JKR would take more time to release book 7 .
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 2:05 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
np.hp says:
OH!That`s great,but I don`t think JKR is going to release the book that soon.
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 2:12 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
np.hp says:
That`s great,but i don`t think it is coming that soon.
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 2:15 AM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
They really have to release it on that date, it's just so perfect!
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 11:53 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 36
voldy007 says:
It would be sooo cool but I don't think anyone could wait until then.It's almost IMPOSSIBLE!!!!
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 1:41 PM EST
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