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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.
Reader Comments (784)
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Muggle
Points: 51
GryffindorGirl22 says:
That cool i cant wait 4 the book to come out i will take the day off from work.
Posted Mar 29, 2006 at 10:00 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 60
wyrda says:
I would love to see the 7th book out on 7/7/07. It would be a great conclusion to the series.
Posted Mar 29, 2006 at 10:34 AM EST
Student
Points: 244
Brooks Evans Potter says:
I cant wait until Harry Potter #7 comes out.I hope it is the longest book she writes because there is so many things that will have to be setteled in the last book in the HP series. I just cant wait till 2007.
Posted Mar 29, 2006 at 5:51 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2334
Chahat says:
According to the article which you can see here http://www.hpana.com/news.19343.26.html there are high chances that the book is slated to release in 2008!!!!!
Posted Mar 30, 2006 at 9:25 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
recordinglovely says:
I hope I don't have to wait that long until it comes out, but I guess I will, if I have to. I just wish the story would keep going and not just stop at seven, but I guess everyone has their limits and even Potter needs a break.
Posted Mar 30, 2006 at 12:25 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 67
mechnic says:
I think that the book better come out this day. or there may be some heads rollin'. sorry, I hope I haven't offended anyone! I just can't wait to read it.
Posted Apr 1, 2006 at 8:42 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 35
Fawkes Feather says:
That would be so cool. JK has noted that the #7 is really important so maybe our dream will come true. I can't wait.
Posted Apr 1, 2006 at 10:36 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1307
Catfish on the table says:
I hope it is released then. It would be especially good if the movie come out when rumoured too - they would both come out in the same month! It would be great! I just hope in not in the middle of my GCSEs then....
Posted Apr 2, 2006 at 7:21 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
That would be really cool! Hope its not later than that, otherwise, I'll just go crazy waiting!
Posted Apr 2, 2006 at 1:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 510
Jealz says:
You got me all excited when i first saw this. But that would be really cool.
Posted Apr 2, 2006 at 4:41 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 481
Isilmae says:
I think it would be a really cool coincidence. No wait !... I dont want to wait until there... Anyway, I hope it will not later than that, otherwise, I'll just go crazy!
Posted Apr 2, 2006 at 11:24 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 10
RäMpÄgê says:
Not trying to break anyones heart but if you read the post it says that 07/07/07 is a theory. While it would be a great idea just remember it is still a rumor.
Posted Apr 4, 2006 at 12:52 AM EST
Squib
Points: 149
Madam Marsh says:
This is by now an old issue, but I still wish to add a vote for 07/07/07. I can't claim to know the minds of the victims of the London bombings, or those of their families, but it's reasonable to suppose that many of them would see that release date as perfectly acceptable. As a great many people pointed out about September 11th, we play into the hands of the death-dealers when we let them dictate our actions. Jo has given us a great gift in these books. They are filled with characters of honor, loyalty, generosity, courage and brains, as well as enormous lovability. You ignore these things if you see the book release solely or primarily as a commercial event. Along with the millions of dollars/pounds/other denominations changing hands that day, there will be parties, fun, laughter, the excitement of finally holding IT in your hands, on a date that will come only once in this millenium. Who but the legions of Voldemort would begrudge us that day of days?
Posted Apr 4, 2006 at 6:29 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 708
gildavis says:
I really think Harry Potter And The Rise Of The Phoenix (My ideal of the title) will be released on July 31., 2007, (The tenth anniversary of Harry's seventeenth birthday according to the series timeline...) I know that's a Tuesday, but you must remember it's summer and the kids are out of school, so a midweek release isn't out of the question.
Posted Apr 5, 2006 at 6:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 614
padfootblack15 says:
I would absolutely love it if the book was realeased 07/07/07
But with how OOTP rumors are going on, that movie could be realeased 6 days afterward...
Would they really do that??
But the sooner the better.
Posted Apr 5, 2006 at 5:35 PM EST
Squib
Points: 128
snoggee says:
I cannot wait.Hopefully this time I can go a bookstore and attend a potter party.
Posted Apr 6, 2006 at 12:12 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 45
gryffindorgirl13 says:
That is like a whole year and i can't wait that long!!
Posted Apr 6, 2006 at 8:16 PM EST
Points: 1
misskitty826 says:
I dont think I can wait that long, although it is perfect.
Posted Apr 6, 2006 at 8:54 PM EST
Slugmeister
Points: 3732
Prawg says:
Wow... Good and thorough theory!!! I see the London bombing anniversary and the OotP-opening as major abstacles, but still... I'd love the book to come out 07/07/07!
Posted Apr 7, 2006 at 4:58 AM EST
Squib
Points: 105
sirius'_gurl777 says:
I can't wait for HP7 to be released, but at the same time, i know that once its released, thats it...it's over...and it makes a part of me hope that the book doesnt come out for a while, because i don't want the journey to be over yet...
Posted Apr 9, 2006 at 7:01 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 93
spitfire007 says:
sirius' gurl777
That is very powerful, and i guess you're right... When Book 7 is released, and everything has happened, then there'll be no more... I really hope that this isn't going to end with something like
"With a start, Harry Potter wake up and hit his head on the roof of the closet under the stairs. He felt his forehead. There was no scar. It was all a dream"
---OR---
"ANd the rest, is for you all to guess"
Posted Apr 10, 2006 at 1:47 AM EST
Squib
Points: 105
sirius'_gurl777 says:
laughs. Gosh! could you imagine if she did end it either of those ways!?!? i'd go into shock and probably never recover laughs
Posted Apr 10, 2006 at 2:12 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 14
harry_potter's_grl says:
I think all of the book's are awsome
Posted Apr 10, 2006 at 9:48 AM EST
Student
Points: 237
EMBak says:
So if it comes out on July 7, 2007 we have how many days left to wait?? I am so excited, but sad at the same time. Once it is out...it is really over-apart from waiting for the movies of course.
Posted Apr 10, 2006 at 2:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 874
Together Forever, H/Hr... says:
That was a cool idea there. Seven is actually my fav number... And has been since I was a baby but yea so ut would be a huge selling point if that was the date... All their points are great ones too.
*%* Susanna *%*
Posted Apr 10, 2006 at 4:38 PM EST
Squib
Points: 105
sirius'_gurl777 says:
|0| 7 is my favourite number too, but mainly cause Andrew Johns is number 7 (laughs) umm...how many days is it left? i dunno...but im kinda scared...what are we gonna do once HP is over? What have we got left to look forward to? no more HP adventures thats for sure...:'(
Posted Apr 10, 2006 at 5:51 PM EST
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