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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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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1506
Paint Horse says:
It would bea great idea. However, I think JK, may just take a little longer in writing the last volume. There are a lot of questions she should answer.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:44 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2138
Happy Pancakes says:
That would be so cool!
I can't wait til when JK Rolwing announces when the book comes out! That would be a perfect date!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:45 PM EST
Muggle Executioner
Points: 5173
ThunderofHisSky says:
I can wait that long because the number 7 means so much about HP.And the more longer it takes her,the more better the book(I think)
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1465
Moon Dragon says:
I absolutely can't wait I'm so excited. I hope we don't have to wait till 2008 because that would really be a pain in the ar%s!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:56 PM EST
Hufflepuff Princess
Points: 24832
Waddi Wasi says:
Mmmhmm, I agree with Cheeser -- the marketing campaign would simply be astronomical and although JK is not in the writing business for the money, I'm sure her publishing house would certainly take advantage of this.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 8:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 627
~DetailedDragon~ says:
That would be an awsome thing to do but, if she finishes the book sooner i want it as fast as i can get it!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:02 PM EST
The Labyrinthine Brain
Points: 3337
DevilsSnare says:
I don't think this book will be as hard to write. There is definite plan that she knows what must happen. I think a 2007 release is definitely possible, and probably likely. I hadn't noticed the 7s before.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:09 PM EST
Squib
Points: 103
Nymah'sAuror says:
That is a perfect release date!!!! (Rather freaky too.)
I wish it was coming out in 2006 though, that's like over a year and a half!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1741
HarryAssistant says:
It would be awesome for the book to be released on that day. 7 is so lucky but I agree about the movie being released in summer 2007 (pretty much June) because it might be too much fandom. Then on the other hand with this date and the movie probally coming out in June 2007 then OoTP movie could maybe break box office records possibly making over 400 million dollars. Time will tell but hopefully the book comes out on 07/07/07!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1741
HarryAssistant says:
Sorry to double-post but think about it 07/07/07 is going to be lucky because of the number 7 and maybe with this date the final book could show that Harry and everyone else survives and that he kills Voldermort and Harry can continue his life. This is just a thought.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:21 PM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
I think that book 7 on 07/07/07 is a great date! After all, seven is the lucky number.... That'll be cool! Two in one year. Book 7 and OOTP!!
7!7!7!7!
WE LOVE 7!
~MP~
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
That would be really cool if it was released on 7/7/07, it makes sense. I cant wait for the book to come out. The 7 thing is weird and it would be huge if both the movie and book were released just weeks or even days apart!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1486
Aliana Eyre says:
That is so soon! I thought it would take her 4 years at least. I hope it isn't short.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:42 PM EST
Magical Me
Points: 8420
Nutty4Harry says:
This is a great theory, and I've thought this too for quite some time. I didn't think about it in quite as much detail, but close! I did think that this was an actual release date when I first read the headline...oh well. At least we know that Jo will start writing in just a few days. Yay!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:42 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 421
Jared Raschke says:
That would be great though earlier would still be better.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hpforever138 says:
That would be great if it came out 7-07-07...how perfect!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:51 PM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5162
Weesa says:
What a wonderful theory I hate to wait so long but since we must this seems to be very magical date for the release.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:52 PM EST
Student
Points: 224
-i-luv-ron- says:
Technically if it was released on 07/07/07 then it would be the 2 year aniversary of the bombings, not the first.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 9:58 PM EST
Student
Points: 258
*StarDust* says:
This would be the coolest coincidence ever! And a plus, I live on the east coast so it'll be 7:00 when it's relased! That would be the most awseome thing ever!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:01 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
That is absolutley fantastic! I love this theory. And albeit in the distance, I can taste it and I would just love how it would all turn out. I'd be happy if it fell on 7/7/07. Backwards and forwards it reads the same date in the U.S. and Europe. he he he.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:06 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
Well Cheeser, I think JK would be smart to take your suggestion into consideration.
It's positively brilliant.
N
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
mrs sirius black says:
I dig. I'm pretty sure I can hold out that long--as long as Jo can write that quick!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:15 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1298
Sturgis Podmore says:
That would be really cool. But I don't know if I can wait until June of 2007. I suppose it would be neat, though.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:20 PM EST
Half-Blood Princess
Points: 2875
Katie Bloom says:
Incredible the coincidence!.. it would be awsome the 7th book!.. i cant wat for the 2007 to come!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 284
Slytherin Angel says:
I can wait for the Seventh book......i really want to read it.....but im upset........because i dont want it to end....bye
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:29 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 384
Iwillalwaysbethere says:
A great theory it is. The more you remind me of the 7th book, the more i want it to come out.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:30 PM EST
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