|
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
Muggle
Points: 36
voldy007 says:
It would be sooo cool but I don't think anyone could wait until then.It's almost IMPOSSIBLE!!!!
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 1:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1414
Hp Fan 9374 says:
Wow that's amzing, 07/07/07, great maybe it will be released at 0707hrs as well! Just another strange theory to add to this revelation!
Best Regards,
Hp Fan 9374!
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 2:14 PM EST
Points: 9
Bear King says:
Weird though it may seem I had shivers running down my back the whole time I was reading the 07/07/07 thing. If something bad happens I predicted it ok?
But anyway, it sounds like a great idea, lets hope it happens.
Yo all, my first post here, I am me.
Posted Feb 5, 2006 at 6:03 AM EST
Points: 9
Bear King says:
Weird though it may seem I had shivers running down my back the whole time I was reading the 07/07/07 thing. If something bad happens I predicted it ok?
But anyway, it sounds like a great idea, lets hope it happens.
Yo all, my first post here, I am me.
Posted Feb 5, 2006 at 6:06 AM EST
Witch
Points: 525
Draco'z Devil says:
That means we have to wait all the way till next year. well that's one more year of thinking up crazy ideas.
Posted Feb 5, 2006 at 5:26 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 363
tsedolma says:
Wow!!!!!!! I am really happy that it is coming out after all and i have been waiting so eagerly... I can`t believeand that tooo on 7/7/07 and 7 is a lucky number so i hope this last book has a greater success but i don`t want the book to finish ... You go, Jo....
Posted Feb 6, 2006 at 12:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 919
girlinterrupted says:
I think that july 7th 2007 would be a perfect day for the release. Realistically, there is no way it could possibly be out before then. Plus, the adveritising really does take care of itself. it's now february. Jkr has more than a year to get the book finished and sent to the printers. i think it's enought time but i don't know. jkr might not want to rush herself. anyone know how long it took for book 6 to come out?
Posted Feb 7, 2006 at 3:19 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
Laura502 says:
The 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year at 7....hrm.....interesting, 7, after all, it the perfect number.....
Posted Feb 7, 2006 at 5:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 605
berries&cream says:
WOW that would be perfect!!! can't wait 2 get book 7!
Posted Feb 9, 2006 at 6:40 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4116
Padfoot4387 says:
THAT WOULD BE SO PERFECT.
I can wait for 07/07/07. I really can. Granted, I can also wait for any other date of release, but that date is perfect for the 7th book of the HP series and should hopefully be when JK decides to release her book. Or at least her publishers decide to.
Posted Feb 11, 2006 at 12:03 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1188
sirius'doll says:
Bleep! I cannot believe I missed this story.
I cannot believe MORE is that its only speculation...but, hee hee, I have my fingers crossed for an 07/07/07 release...its just TOO perfect an opportunity not to take up. I mean imagin decades from now, people will STILL remember the release of the last book =D
Posted Feb 11, 2006 at 11:09 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 2
Blue_Eyed_Snidget says:
I think that would be the perfect date to release it. A few have said that they can't wait that long, but I really wouldn't want the series to end too quickly. I want more time with the fans; I want the anticipation and the theories. After book seven we really won't be able to do that anymore. While I look forward to the book, it's also an end of an era.
Of course, we can still write fanfiction and have theories, but not having a book to look forward to that can answer our questions will be really depressing for me. It takes a lot of the magic away.
Posted Feb 12, 2006 at 10:49 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 875
forbio says:
I like the idea but i do not think that it will be released on that date it is too perfect. I will hope though.
Posted Feb 12, 2006 at 8:45 PM EST
Squib
Points: 146
Luscious Lucius says:
07/07/07...
Posted Feb 12, 2006 at 9:21 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 5
seeker28 says:
I think its a really cool theory but I just cant wait that long, I mean its the finale of all the Harry Potter books.
Posted Feb 13, 2006 at 10:53 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1494
~*WitherWings*~ says:
OH MY GOD, 7/7/07 would just be the perfect date to release the 7th book. it just fits in soo well! i hope JKR approves of this and releases it on this date, it would really bring out the MAGICin the book since it is the last one! :D xx
~*-HP HALF-BLOOD PRINCE = FAB!-*~
Posted Feb 13, 2006 at 11:09 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1357
phoenixfire_HG says:
OH man wouldn't that be perfect if she released it on that day?! We'll have to wait though. Personally, even though I really want to read the end of the story, I think JKR should take all the time she needs. The longer she takes, I'm sure the better it will be.
Posted Feb 15, 2006 at 12:32 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 26
cnm0604 says:
07/07/07-That would be cool esp if it will bring luck to hp but i wouldn't want to wait that long. I am so looking forward to what will happen next. But then it's up to jk still.
Posted Feb 15, 2006 at 10:30 AM EST
Divine Intervention
Points: 2619
PhantomFingers says:
Wow, it's so cool that we have a date, and that it's magical one, as if it's planned!! Voldemort just has to die! Marketing departments are just going to explode!!
Posted Feb 17, 2006 at 11:06 AM EST
Squib
Points: 134
crookshanks23 says:
Doesn't anyone here thinks it's too much of the coincidence??
Posted Feb 17, 2006 at 10:15 PM EST
Student
Points: 276
Meka_92 says:
I think that the seventh book should come out on july 7 2007. It makes the book even more special and probably more publicity that it deserves. I can't wait for book 7 hopefully it comes out next year!!
Posted Feb 19, 2006 at 12:39 PM EST
Points: 5
genius says:
i cant wait for this book to come out it should be great.
P.S daniel radcliff is the hottest person ever!!!!!!!!
Posted Feb 19, 2006 at 3:00 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 341
**Miss Hermione Granger** says:
I think that's a really good idea to have book #7 on a date of all sevens and all the things having to do with 7, it just kinda fits perfectly.
Posted Feb 19, 2006 at 5:39 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 711
Crookshanks the Auror says:
It would be kinda weird if the book was released on 07/07/07, but I do not know if I would be able to wait that long. I know something big is going to go down. I hope Harry and Ginny get back together.
Posted Feb 19, 2006 at 8:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 358
Dave1988 says:
Thats well Long But I really can't wait JK Wants us to wait Longer just to build up the suspense
I really want to know if Harry sacrifises Himself for his loved ones
Posted Feb 20, 2006 at 1:34 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
houses_unite says:
I think it would be absolutly awesome if Jk released the book on 07/07/07. I think that it would finish the whole series off cleanly somehow. anyways i think this is a really good theory.
Posted Feb 20, 2006 at 11:02 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