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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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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
Student
Points: 237
hpforever2 says:
The story is going to be fantastic. I really think that it will come out on the seventh of July, 2007. There is just so many things that have to with seven in the books.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:34 PM EST
Long Way from Happy
Points: 2952
OEHFICE says:
That would be a GREAT Coincidence! Only the greatest conincidence in the history of humankind! Book 7 on 7/7/07, I like it! I just hope that coincidence does come true, even though it seems like a galaxy far, far away. I'm really lookin forward to whenever Book 7 will be released.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 823
Jynx says:
Having the 7th book come out on on the 7th day of the 7th month in the 7th year after the millenium and (for people on the east coast) at 7 o'clock in the afternoon would be practically historical (as far as book release dates and such). That would be so awesome if the books came out then. (Or, maybe people would think that it was the apocalypse and run around in utter chaos... just thinking of the possibilities) ;p
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:56 PM EST
Squib
Points: 158
KristinSaysAccio says:
And I was thinking it wouldn't be out until way after that! It would be sooo amazing if it came out then. I'd be sooo happy!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:56 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1166
Cornelia Welsh Green says:
It would just be too perfect if that were the case. Oh I hope I hope I hope.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 10:57 PM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
Bloody bloody great if that happens! The MAGICAL 7!!! It all fits doesn't it? It'll be the best day of my life!
And fantastic essay CHEESER!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:15 PM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
That would be brilliant! I hope it's sooner, but its definatley a possibility!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:21 PM EST
Magical Me
Points: 8420
Nutty4Harry says:
I really don't care about the exact date when the book is released. I just want it to be really well written, which I'm sure it will be. I don't want Jo to rush just to get it out. I know that she'll put her very best into this since it might be her very last book ever, not to mention it being the last HP book.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:22 PM EST
Student
Points: 216
SirenaAzul says:
That great, I was really hoping that it would turn out that way. I know like most fans out there we are all waiting to see if its true.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 596
Sitora Sage says:
Agreed. It would be too perfect.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
Wow i never thought of it coming out on that day i sure hope not i don't think i can wait that long again!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 813
harrypotterfan4eva says:
That would be so cool! But I really don't want to wait that long!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:35 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
I fully expected to have to wait until 2007 for book 7, however, the 07/07/07 never occured to me. It is an intriguing thought that 7 could have this big an influence on the fate of our beloved Harry. I personally see this as a HUGE marketing coup and will be one of the millions lined up to buy my copy whatever date she releases on.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
'Arry + Hermy says:
7 7 7 I really can't wait for the book to come out and number 7 is my new favourite lucky number! Thanks HPANA!!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 11:53 PM EST
Student
Points: 290
GoF fan says:
Thats great coincidence! i just hope it comes out soon enough. Book 7 0n 07/07/07 - it sounds magical , isnt'it?
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:01 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 352
Inannalia says:
That's really amazing. It would be awesome if the book was released on that day, though it WOULD be a long time to wait.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:09 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 97
TriniSeeker says:
Oh my god......damn..that really is true...the whole 7's thing....thats awsome!!..I can't believe I never noticed that possability before..thanks a lot. I just read the essay from lexicon as well..and it really makes sense. Me? I think your right. JK should consider releasing the book out on that date..you also made a point of saying that she's so hot right now,that we'll still stand in line waiting for the book whenever she feels like finishing it, but that oh so magical 7 is just too good to pass up. Good one mate. :-)
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:25 AM EST
Witch
Points: 780
Jess the potter fan says:
YAY!!!! Im so excited i cant wait!!!!! YAY!!!! im jumping up and down!!!!i hope i can make it that long!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 12:32 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 307
Harry's Echo says:
I can't wait for book 7 to come out!! As much as it would be absolutely perfect to release it on 07/07/07, I think it would be right to not release it out of respect for London.....as long as it's released EARLIER then 07/07/07, and NOT later!
And J.K., if you're reading this, please feel free to write a prequel to books 1 through 7.....
Long live Harry!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:06 AM EST
Mistress of Enchantment
Points: 19636
Muse of the Aurors says:
What a neat series of coincidences. Yay for July 07, 2007 (my sis-n-law's birthday also)!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:21 AM EST
Cryptologist
Points: 3018
Veronica Smethley says:
Well, Cheeser, that's a really good theory! And it is actually possible that book seven would be released on July 7, 2007 because of all the reasons you have posted. But I was hoping we would get it before July 2007... anyway, if it is released on 07/07/07, I wouldn't mind but the book should be released by then, no later, it would be a very tiring wait otherwise...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:31 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 418
harry_rox11 says:
Thats so cool!!!!!!!!but it would be impossible to wait a year and a half. And dose anyone know if its actully true they will be releasing the pheonix movie in 2007????? Thats so cruel! goblet of fire took so long because of all the tri-wizard stuff. But theres nothing all that big (except for the fight in the end... that might take long) in the book. But i spose its 100 pages longer than any other. IMAGEN HOW MUCH THEY WILL HAVE TO LEAVE OUT?? thats going to suck.....
It'll really sad when the LAST book comes out. No more harry..... but we will finally find out what happens!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 1:55 AM EST
Professor
(Moderator)
Points: 1180
Vermin Jerky says:
*Screams hysterically and runs around in slowly tightening circles, until she is merely spinning on the spot, at which point she collapses on the floor and starts break dancing to Do the Hippogriff continuously howling "Seven on seven-seven-oh-seven!"*
Okay... maybe not... but my insides are doing it.
Meantime, hopeful, ain't they? JKR hasn't even written it yet, hasn't even started writing it yet, and they already have a release date.
What if she has writer's block?
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:00 AM EST
Professor
(Moderator)
Points: 1180
Vermin Jerky says:
Oh, and happy birthday to me. ^-^ That will be the day before my twenty-third birthday. *happies all over the place* Oops. I'd better clean that up. *mops up all her joy*
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:02 AM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
WOw I never thought that book 7 will be released on 7/7/2007.she might do that after all 7 is a very powerful number in the magical world
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 2:08 AM EST
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