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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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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1430
Godric's Hallow says:
This can't be true because Rowling would have updated her site already so I don't believe its true. Also did you know that she said she does not give titles to any of the Harry Potter books unitl she is finished with them. So to all you people that are tryin to guess what the title is she does not even know.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1585
BB_Sectumsempra says:
I would love it if the seventh Harry Potter book was published in 07/07/2007. It would be a great but sad end to the Harry potter books. JKR hinted that she would finish the book in 2006, so I do not know, but it would be a great idea.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:32 PM EST
Gryffindor Ghost
Points: 9860
Professor Cat says:
WHAT?!! Oh my god!! Thats amazing!! Well lets just hope it WILL be the seventh then, man thats so exciting!! Yippeeeee!! *jumps up and down*
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:33 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 45
ziggy says:
July 2007? That is too long! It would drive me almost crazy anticipating what the book would be filled with...I'm already going crazy guessing the motives behind several characters, but to wait almost 2 years before my eyes can finally look upon the final Harry Potter series is too much for me to handle. I just hope that the book is double the size of book 6 and answers every question that keeps buggling my mind. I hope I'm not been too dramatic, but are you guys certain that the book would be released in the year 2007 not 2006? I do hope you are entirely mistaken.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:43 PM EST
Squib
Points: 172
*~HasTheEndComeTooSoon~* says:
07/07/07 i cant believe it its to perfect indeed. I mean seven being the sacred number in the wizarding world also could this be the book where the seventh piece of voldermorts soul is destroyed, could Harry be victorious! Well we will have to wait over a whole year to wait!!!
God its going to be hard... i'm going have read the entire series probably 3 more times before then!
I cant wait, its so exciting
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1345
Dracos_Gurl13 says:
It would be so cool if the seven thing worked out! I would so go to the midnight release!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 4:59 PM EST
Student
Points: 213
hermownninny18 says:
Dumbledore's_Ghost I absolutely love your avatar!! That episode it the most hilarious one I have ever seen!!
Ok now about the article. That is so awsome that everything has that signifigant number '7'!! It would be so cool also if the book came over on 07-07-07. The only bad thing: We all have to wait for a year and a half for the book to come out.
However I totally agree with Catlee when she said that "I would love it if JKR gave us another book or two." That would be so nice. I definitly would love to have a book like "Hogwarts: A History" or some thing like the "The Monstor book of Monstors" That would be so cool!!!
Accio Book 7!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:28 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 351
gryffindor_sophy says:
I think it WOULD be a great date coinciding with the books, as they DO say that 7 is the most powerful magical number. and this is random, but on slot machines too! however, i also understand that the terrorist bombing anniversary also falls on that day AND that OotP movie is due out in summer, so it's very hard to say. I'm hoping for sooner rather than later!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:30 PM EST
Squib
Points: 172
*~HasTheEndComeTooSoon~* says:
I've just noticed something, its probably meer coincidence but still...
The Half Blood Prince was released on the 16/07 which when 1+6=7 so the introduction to the number 7 started really with the release of the sixth book
But i'm probably thinking stupiid with this one!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 5:43 PM EST
The Charmer
Points: 4147
Amarantine says:
Hmmm, I like the idea. 7. Lots of 7s. Only thing is the fact it'll coincide with the 2nd anniversary of the London bombings. Which might be a problem. But it really is a rather fantastic idea *crosses fingers*
~*Aquilus*~
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:08 PM EST
Student
Points: 260
Dan_N_Harryrmine9 says:
That is so awesome!! That is a year after Pirates of the Carribean comes out!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 6:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 622
*Hermione!* says:
That is so cool!! Seven is an important in hp, isn't it?? I thought so. 7/07/07 would be soooo cool!! Did she release the name yet?
*Hermione!*
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 8:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 722
x-Adorkable-x says:
Oh myy! That would just be like perfectly magical. I really hope that she realease it soon thouhg, that time would be pretty good though, since she has to take time writing it and stuff.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 8:09 PM EST
Leggo My Ron!
Points: 3201
Undeniable Chemistry says:
That's completely brilliant!
I don't know if I can wait a year and a half to read what happens!
So much is happening the summer of July 2007...this is definately NO coincidence.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 8:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 929
Priori Incantatem9 says:
That would be the more perfect day for Harry Potter nukber 7 to come out. A magical, but bitter-sweet way to end(but of course, not forever because Harry Potterwill live on through generations) the series. ::tear::
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 8:47 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 85
ellie2024 says:
A year and a half! Well, I guess we could just re-read the series until Book 7 comes. I hear JKR's thinking of taking a year long break from writing like she did between OotP and HBP, but she deserves it! Writing such a fantastic book!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:00 PM EST
Student
Points: 259
Harriet Poltergiest says:
Haha! That is to perfect! But it is the last one! That is so sad,"wimper" but at least we get to figure out what happens! All fans waiting for the end? And will Harry die or Not?
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
1USHPFN says:
What a great idea to market this 7th book in this manner. Perhaps if your idea is taken up you could be given an hours head starton book 7 for your reward.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:41 PM EST
Student
Points: 200
hogwarts#1boy says:
Kool i cant wait!! thats gonna be the bomb!!!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
They should be selling the book in the lobby so people can come out of the movie and buy the next book. A friend took her copy of Polar Express when we went to see that movie, and people drove her crazy with wanting to know if she bought it at the theater. I am surprised there is not more book and good quality merchandise sales at the theaters. People would buy alot on impulse there, I bet. And it might get people to read more, too.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 9:58 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 75
ronandhermione_forever says:
That would be so cool if it was released on July 7 because is would be a coiccidence and also my great-grandmaw's birthday but I couldn't a year for it.That would drive me crazy.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:03 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1154
Natalia Flamel says:
That would be just awesome, and a very good end for this story, I mean, with all that coincidences, should be a great publicity, not that she need it!!
I don't really want that the release of the 7th book come too soon, because that means that that's the end!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 236
shut_up_rupert says:
That would be really awesum if it came out on that date. Its to long though, She could finish it in a month if she wanted but it proberly wouldent be as good, I guess its good that she is taking her time. I want it now though.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 10:31 PM EST
Original of the Species
Points: 4364
Spell Weaver says:
What great timing if it works out. Seven IS a significant wizarding number. If the book is released on 7/7/07 I hope the book's release would help the Brits through what is bound to be an emotional second anniversary of the London terrorist bombings.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 642
_quidditch_queen_ says:
That is so aweomse...that would be so awesome... But if she came out with the book sooner... i would have no problems.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 982
~Kathy~Evans~ says:
WOW!!! Cheeser, you rule! It's so true that it is the perfect date...I think that it would be an excelent marketing strategy! But at the same time like our dear webmaster says...when she's ready, people will line up for the book...true fans will wait any amount of time for the 7th book!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:37 PM EST
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