|
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)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2010 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
226-250 251-275 276-300 301-325 326-350 351-375 376-400 401-425
426-450 451-475 476-500 501-525 526-550 551-575 576-600 601-625
626-650 651-675 676-700 701-725 726-750 751-775 776-784
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
Muggle
Points: 46
Angelena says:
What a cool idea to release Harry Potter on this date, but a year and a half! I do not really want to wait that long. So I really hope that it is sooner! Maybe next christmas time. That would be the ultimate present!
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
That would be genius to release it then but honestly, I'd rather have it be released earlier then have it be on a significant date haha.
Posted Dec 28, 2005 at 11:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1487
HRH301 says:
I wish it were sooner than that. But that does seem like a good marketing ploy.(As if the book really needs one.)
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 12:58 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 20
Holley says:
OMW!!!!!!!!! I can't wait till it comes out!!!!
I mean i'm so excited and just can't wait!!!!!!!!!
I am such a DAN FAN but who isn't now in days.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:08 AM EST
Prime Hunter
Points: 4355
Orbster says:
OH mAN! I'm so starting a count down now!!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:19 AM EST
Squib
Points: 180
Tazzu says:
This is a brilliant and 'magical' theory, but the only problem is that 7/7 is also the anniversary of the London Bombings. Would JK really want to release her final book on such a miserable day??
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:20 AM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
I think this is an awesome speculation. JKR should most definitely release book 7 on 7/7/07...WOW. And how come I never thought of this? :P
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:35 AM EST
Squib
Points: 122
Pink Bubbles says:
Wow!! 07/07/07 That's amazing!! Guess 7 really is the most powerful number in the wizard world. Is it just coincidence? I probably couldn't wait that long, but if the whole world's waiting, I'll wait with all of you!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:40 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 17
j0m says:
Thanks for the theory.
That'd be perfect, if she releases it on 07.07.07!
She somewhat reminds me of Dante, who was obsessed with the number 3.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 2:54 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1181
ImmortalSoul says:
WOw...i think thats a really ironic coincidence. I think JKR had it all planned out since the beginning. I mean, shes brilliant, and it seems to coincidential for everything to be 07/07/07 plus it being the 7th book and whatnot. JKR IS MY HERO AND SO ARE DAN RAD AND DRACO!!!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 3:24 AM EST
Points: 0
hp74evr says:
Wel its really exciting to have book 7 on 07/07/07. i hope Jo does so...
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 3:48 AM EST
Weird Sisters Guitarist
Points: 3573
Prof. Sk8ergirl says:
wow!That isjust brilliantly amazing... the release date for the 7th book as 07/07/07...Man!That's nearly a year and a hlaf away...
LLTA
Jan
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 4:03 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
enternickname says:
I think that's a great idea. I really hope it's true. I'd do it... although, as I just realised, I think my time's ahead of yours so it might be the next day... Or just a few hours later, I can't remember how far ahead in time I am to the US and UK.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 4:06 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 25
lubus787 says:
That would cool, but it's too much time to wait... but a nice coincidence!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 5:39 AM EST
Squib
Points: 178
<3°*»lilAngel*4*Dan»*°<3 says:
CANT Wait!!! NOO!!! but its cool that its gonna be released on the 07/07/07. hopefully!!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 7:09 AM EST
Squib
Points: 120
sherminepatrick says:
Wow...
that is a lot of 7...and it got me a headache too..
I cant wait that long to read book 7 on the year of 2007!!!
I wanna know what happened next!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 7:23 AM EST
Squib
Points: 127
danandme4ever says:
Thats kind of cool, you know 777 god's number?
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 8:20 AM EST
Beauty Princess
Points: 6008
H.R.H Queen of Gossip says:
That would be funny. Book 7 on 7/7/07!!!!!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 8:43 AM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
I agree with Cheeser that this would be a perfect date for the release of book 7, not only from a marketing standpoint, but also from the significance to the number 7, as being the most magical number. Actually, many people don't know, but the number seven is also very important in the Bible as well. I doubt that there is a huge coincidence, but I do find it interesting.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 9:21 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 575
Canis Diris says:
That would be great, but I also agree that I want to read the seventh book as soon as possible because I wanna know what is the ending... will harry defeat voldemort? what will happen with harry's relationships? and who will harry end up with?
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 9:22 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 89
Lupin&Tonks says:
It will be a great talk for a very long time... but I'm not sure I can wait for so long!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 9:22 AM EST
Student
Points: 258
Brittany** says:
Ohhhhh I cannot wait to read the book i am really excited but 2007 that is a really long time. That is kindda weird with the seven thing.
Brittany
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 9:49 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1823
zues says:
This book will take a long time to get here. Good things come to those who wait.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 11:03 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 66
Potter'sthebest says:
That long!!!! It's like forever!!!!!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 11:07 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2797
butterbeer babe says:
Oh my gosh! that is so awesome! totally rocks the whole 07/07/07 deal. I can't wait that long though! not a single movie or book for over a year!!?!??!? I suppose We will get through it though!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 11:15 AM EST
226-250 251-275 276-300 301-325 326-350 351-375 376-400 401-425
426-450 451-475 476-500 501-525 526-550 551-575 576-600 601-625
626-650 651-675 676-700 701-725 726-750 751-775 776-784
Back to top of page