|
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 © 2002-2009 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
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
Student
Points: 216
Chris 4 Emma 4 eva says:
Cool the 7/7/07 the number 7 is the most powerful number in da wizarding world , It so happens to b my lucky number accio book 7 on the 7/7/07 emma is fit as hell!!!!!!!!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 11:21 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 589
DumbledoresRevenge says:
Thats my birthday dude, my 18th birthday, sweet.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 11:44 AM EST
Squib
Points: 151
airlift says:
The day before will be my 19th birthday.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 12:15 PM EST
Squib
Points: 130
chaly768176 says:
Cool, Cool. It is a long time to wait but I shall wait patiently. That would be pretty cool and such a good advertising tactic for the 7th book. Well I can't wait till the next, I think I'm going to read all the books again until that book comes out.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 12:22 PM EST
Squib
Points: 163
mowna says:
I HOPE IT'S NOT TRUE... I can't wait that long... please let it come earlier than what it says in this article...
=)
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:00 PM EST
Squib
Points: 142
EmiriKenobi says:
How funny would that be?? I think that it probably will come out around that time line...Everyone's talking about it coming out earlier...I can't see it coming out any earlier than 07/07/07...Wow, that's annoying to type...Anyways, I hope it comes out earlier than that date, but I think it's very likely to come out on that date or after it.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:09 PM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
If JK releases her 7th book by 2007...I hope she takes her time and makes it a juicey one. Fans deserve it and I believe JK deserves it too.
Jaystarr
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:09 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 13
midnightshadow says:
07/07/07 Is such a cool date- and the relations it has with parts of the series makes it even better! However, hopefully we wont have to wait that long! until then, let the rumors continue!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:11 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1483
DragonTattoo says:
You know, I think it would have been really creepy if this past book was released on 06/06/06 AHAHAH! THe religious fanatics would have a field day! SATANIC!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:11 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 80
magickie_feelings says:
I think she purposely set the date up like that. its a big coincidence if she didnt. plus everybody will be stir crazy if she does wait so long, more sales. but like the author of that article said, i dont think that she has to do that to get a big sale especially since its the last book. i would say that i wouldnt read it because i want to believe as long as possible that it wont end and so it wouldnt if i havent read it. but its just to much, id have to read it. did that make any sense?
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 1:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 564
nevada pooh says:
As much as I would love to have the book tomorrow, I will wait as paitenlt as I can until J.K. says she is releasing the last of Harry to us.Like the rest of the "die hard" fans I will reread my books and rewatch the movies so often that I can recite them word for word.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 2:09 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1937
rocker_336 says:
Wow great theory there. That would certainly only add to the mass hysteria that will occur when book seven is released. *excited now*
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 2:49 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2470
mar66 says:
Wow.. I really really hope that they do this now! That would be amazing.. I hope Jo is reading this.
Now it seems like they couldn't publish any other date but this one
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 2:50 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 360
Accio-Sirius says:
what a great coincidence! 7 has always been my favourite number, I hope that's the realease date (unless it's earlier, I can deal with that!)
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 3:10 PM EST
The Slytherin Slayer
Points: 9551
Mr. Big Shot says:
If the Harry Potter book 7 comes out on 7/7/07 there will be no doubt about it, no book will ever come close to selling as much or even come close, that will be the talk of the century, kids 20 years from now will still be reading Harry Potter! I hope there aren't any set backs, that'd really suck
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 3:54 PM EST
Squib
Points: 121
nabsterno1 says:
I think that it would be really cool to have it out then, but its gona be a really long waite till then.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 3:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1537
harryshermione says:
That would be cool. I Soooo can't wait for the release
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 4:04 PM EST
Squib
Points: 178
*~*Ginny*~* says:
Thats....sooo.....awsome!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness i just know im going to cry thought since its the last book ...that whole seven things pretty cool though.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 4:15 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 503
Zauber says:
I hope it does come out on 7th of July ,2007 because that would be so cool.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 4:24 PM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
That is so cool. Its like the 30 anniversary of the Omen is on 06/06/06
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 4:43 PM EST
Student
Points: 289
I need a time-turner! says:
I think it would be cool if she finished the book intime for it to be released on 7/7/07. But we have to remember that it takes 6 months after she finishes it for it to be on the book shelves ( I read that some where about the HP books cant remember where though!) so she will have to finish it by jan of 07. And she might not want it released on that date because that is what most everyone expects. It is a awesome concidence though!!! my fingers and toes and eyes are crossed that that is the date ( I would not be upset if it came out sooner though!)
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 5:45 PM EST
Mage of Celestial Melody
Points: 3324
Telos says:
OH my god!!! I think im going to faint....Please Please let that be the release date! I can't wait any longer!!!! I'll go crazy.. It would be prefect for marketing though.
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 5:55 PM EST
Prof. of Jamology
Points: 4545
Karentia says:
It is an interesting theory - one I've already commented on in another thread. It will be difficult for those of us who are panting to read more, new stuff. But it is just too good not to let it go to waist!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 6:25 PM EST
Squib
Points: 157
harrypotterlover1223 says:
I am so happy! I can't wait for July 7th, 2007. That is just a couple days before my birthday too! I will be 15 then, all have my permit. Whoa i can't wait for the realease date, it would be a great birthday present for me.
Cassidy
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 6:42 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 475
Vortex7 says:
It's a long way until 07/07/07 to get our hands on the seventh book, but it would be most definitely cool to have it released that day! I'd buy it any day, but having it on such a magical day would give the readers a feeling of actually being part of the magical world!
Posted Dec 29, 2005 at 7:35 PM 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