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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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Witch
Points: 517
I <3 Rupert Grint says:
That would be so cool if it came out on 07/07/07 this will be the first one of her books that i will get to countdown to because the rest i read a while after they came out. So yeayy!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:27 AM EST
Witch
Points: 978
Jaclyn Potter says:
You are so right! That is a perfect date! For the terrorist attack anniversary, I am sure it would make many people feel better to be able to read Harry Potter 7 and get their minds off what happened that day years ago.
I think that Jo has made it clear that 7 is a very important number and hopefully she will take into account that the 7th book should be released on 07/07/07!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:29 AM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Goshness...
This has to be the best theort I've heard yet, and to think of it, it's not about the book itself, but its release! I truly hope that it's released this way - it's only too perfect!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:34 AM EST
Student
Points: 271
Moyra says:
7...that would be a good date to release it except...that's more than a year!!! I just hope that it will be no later than that, though... I wouldn't be able to stand it!! I'd go crazy! And although I really want the last book to be out I can't think what it would be like to know that there wouldn't be anymore books coming out!!!:(
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:41 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
I can see all the publicity now on it. It would be such a huge marketing gimic not to take advantage of it. I really hope this comes out to be true, it's just too perfect. Jo's probably had it planned all along just to mess with us fans.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:42 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1426
~Hermione says:
So we know it will be in 2007, but not when exactly. I don't think it will go on 07/07/2007. My theory is telling me it will be earlier.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1234
Krum says:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thats so awesome. Please please.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:04 AM EST
Slapstick Monarch
Points: 2995
Midnight Darkness says:
That would be really cool... who figured it out? Or at least thought up that theory,?
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:06 AM EST
The Chosen One
Points: 9942
Gryffindor Dude says:
I really hope it is released that day. That will be a day that sticks in our minds forever. I'll be so depressed but excited that morning. :(
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1346
Nymphadora Tonks 2 says:
I agree with the date:7.7.07 were to perfect.But i'm looking forward,CAN'T WAIT...
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:11 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2857
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
That is an interesting and great theory. You have won me over entirely!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:13 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 434
Voldemorts Adviser says:
WOW! That would be so cool! That would be so awesome! That would be brilliant!!!!!!Brilliant theory! I can't believe I didn't think of that too!
It would definetely be the biggest marketing campaign ever!
But thats like a year away.......but I'm sure we can wait that long, we have before havn't we?
But still it seems like forever.......
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:23 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 606
HogwartsFounder88 says:
I really dont want to have to wait for like a year and a half. its just too long. by the time that comes around. i'll be out of high school and i'd have read all the books about a hundred times.......................each. ya i know but oh well. there that good.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:42 AM EST
Magical Owl Rising
Points: 4643
Hoots says:
7/07/07 would be the ultimate!!! I can't wait for it to come out.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:42 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
7 books, 7 horcruxes, year 2007, month 7, day 7, Harry Potter birthday a 7th month, really, that should be THE day when the serie will end, at least I can just hope because anything have been set now... Just pray!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:05 AM EST
Squib
Points: 193
Eirene says:
That is absolutely awesome!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:09 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1106
Melissa MISERY says:
Haha! That's a coincidence!
Part of me doesn't want to to come out, though! That would just mean that Harry Potter is over! I don't want it to be over, *laughs*!
DAISY
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:11 AM EST
Muggle Representative
Points: 9117
The Lime says:
Hmm.. The date would be perfect for a Potter-book release, however, it would be rather.. wrong to publish it on the 2-year of the London bombings.
I say we calm down, and see what happens.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:19 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 962
ronald's pet wolf says:
That would be really cool but I just don't want the series to end. ;(
Anyway, it has to come. July 7th, 2007 would be really cool. July is really special: Release of most HP books, Jo's birthday, Harry's birthday and MY BIRTHDAY. :)
I think it's really interesting how it'll be 7 O'clock in America although I'm from Britain.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1479
Newest Mrs. Weasley says:
I'm very excited for the release, but I'm also dreading it a little bit, because once we read the next book... there won't be any more. I think that might be the most depressing thing in the world!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:27 AM EST
Witch
Points: 713
Lily_Evans says:
WOW. This is just ... wow. It makes total sence. I want to just write it up on my calender, but I can't. She hasn't even started writing. (Besides, I don't have a 2007 calender yet). Wow. This is just too cool. I'm going to research if this is possible right now. I hope it is. I really hope.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 755
Sm7 says:
That's so far away!!! I wonder what the title will be. I wonder how many PAGES there will be in it!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:35 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
harrysson says:
I dont think i can wait that long.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:36 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1212
Kiki Stumps says:
Those coincidences, never really dawned on me. Now I'm awe struck at how clever JK really is. I can't wait for the last book.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:41 AM EST
Witch
Points: 808
Lirael says:
OH YEAY! 3 sevens! both lucky numbers!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
I ask myself if there are bets on the release date? It sounds quite logic, but first JK Rowling should take all the time she needs to finish her writing. I think it is not important to aim at a special date. It is more important to be totally satisfied with what she is writing.
By the way, I'd like this date. There are summer holidays in Germany and this leads me to planning another trip to London then right now!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST
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