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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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Muggle
Points: 1
harry potter_fan says:
yes,just one year left.i can't wait for the seventh.hurry up 2007!And i also cant wait for the enciclopedia
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 9:37 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1127
Elrond says:
Real interesting idea, I just want it out as soon as possible... best make it... this year!
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 11:55 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
xParselmouthx says:
I hope this theory isn't true. Because I want the book NOW! And isn't she done with writing the book already?
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 2:13 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 678
SirPhil says:
I think that if the book was released on 7/7/07 it would be cool but I am sure fans would remember the date of the release of the last book, no matter what. Personally I would rather not wait for that date if the book could be ready sooner. But i guess it would help sales and anticipation.
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 4:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 823
Jynx says:
Wow, that would be very good for advertising. "Harry Potter and the *Insert Title Here* Book 7 is to be released on 7/7 of '07! Order yours today" That would get a lot of people even more excited about the last book *hastily wipes a stray tear away from cheek and gives a big sniff*.
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 4:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 821
Leeloomina says:
Well, Cheeser, that was a really nice commentary, I enjoyed reading it a lot. And I'm with you 150%! 07/07/07 is MEANT to be the date... I've been thinking that for a very long time...
Oh, and "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." HAHAHA.
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 6:52 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1070
azkaban_wannabe says:
Wow, I can't wait! {Already. I feel like I'm always saying this. The movies, the books, and now the last book! I'm so sad!}
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 7:04 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 78
Earwen says:
that LONG!!!! well at least I still have a chance to contemplate what will happen.... the suspence is going to MURDER me!!!!!
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 7:23 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 78
Earwen says:
that long a time.... well Jo will never disappoint us by giving us an ending thats not as good as the other books,,,, she will surprise us all!!!! I bet it!!!!
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 7:24 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 30
{.:Rea-Draco's Love:.} says:
Heh...seven is my lucky number...Book seven, 2007...yay seven. I'm only on the third book though!!!!
Posted Jan 1, 2006 at 8:17 PM EST
Cryptologist
Points: 3018
Veronica Smethley says:
I accept Cheeser's theory about book seven being released on 07/07/07! But, I won't complain if it is released earlier!
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 12:04 AM EST
Singularly Gifted Witch
Points: 5157
Medea says:
I think it will be released on that day - cute coincidence. What'd be interesting is if Jo planned this all out from book 1.
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 1:31 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 2
Sapphyrra says:
Book 7 on 7/7/2007...Wicked coincidence.Anyway,I know the long wait will be worth it!
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 1:36 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1449
~cunning devil~ says:
It would be great if she could finish book 7 by then and have it released on july 7th of next year, but what will we read after?
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 9:16 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
xKreacherx says:
Oh, I can hardly wait. That date would be perfect though, right in the middle of summer so everyone has time to read it! I hope it comes out by then, I would be so sad if it didnt come out until 2008 or later!
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 12:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 265
dobby_rox_my_sox_37 says:
My HP-obsessed cousin is getting married on 7/7/07. I can just see her at the altar sneaking peeks at the new book in between vows...
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 3:36 PM EST
Student
Points: 265
dobby_rox_my_sox_37 says:
My HP-obsessed cousin is getting married on 7/7/07. I can just see her at the altar sneaking peeks at the new book in between vows...
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 3:41 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 470
eater says:
I don't want to wait but we will have to which is terrible but she said it will be the bbiggest yet i hope so i think it is either 800pages or 900.
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 3:53 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 470
eater says:
I can't wait till it comes out it is so far away and this year there is no harry potter we are all doomed i just hope that it is the longest.
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 4:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
LuNaWaNaBe says:
That would be a great markerting campaign, but the sooner, the better!
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 5:19 PM EST
Squib
Points: 104
*Gryffindor_Girl* says:
Wow thats long but at least they set a date for the book releas and I dont care how long it is till it comes out as long as J.K.R. had enough time to writ the perfect ending to the series plus i think it is kinda cool that it would come out on a all 7 day...
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 6:50 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
gumalala says:
Also i believe it is important to say that saturday is also the seventh day of the week. More sevens.
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 7:39 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Oh my gosh! If it's not coincidence, J.K. Rowling is a genius to think of that! I really want to read it. She leaves us in suspence each time we read the newest book written. I am sort of dreading the coming of the book, for no more magic shall come from Jo's hands (assuming she can keep her quill down for good). Shes brilliant, and she knows it. She's the best author I've ever seen. I wonder who will die in book 7, and what it will be called. Figures that she says there will be 7 books, eh? Funny, my lucky number has always been 7...
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 8:22 PM EST
Squib
Points: 116
HPlover43 says:
That would be awesome if it came out 07/07/07. However I don't want to wait that long so you think it can come out tomorrow! That would be even better!
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 9:21 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 72
Mr. Daroe Duoai says:
I hope you are not right, I wish we could have the book sooner, I know JKR takes like 2 yearts between each book, so the date seems great, I see only one weak point, as I've seen she seems to be really a nationalistic woman, I mean, she love England and everything so she might not allow the premier of the book in the 2nd anniversary on the London terrorists attacks and I have a question... are they really going to wait until 2007 summer to give us, HP&OotF movie??? that's tooooo much isn't it???
Posted Jan 2, 2006 at 9:54 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 47
Cute Ginny says:
In one way, I think the whole 7 thing is soo super cool!!But I don't want to wait that long!!!
Posted Jan 3, 2006 at 12:08 AM EST
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