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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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Witch
Points: 646
~!*Gryffindor Rules*!~ says:
That will be so cool if it came out that day! I would be so happy jumping up and down in my chair!
Posted Apr 23, 2006 at 8:56 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 51
Esmerelda Phelps says:
See, no one listens to me. PLEASE think about all the people in the UK who suffered from the July 7th bombings in London and how releasing such a media spectacle on the same date would undermine their rememberance.
I hope JK does NOT release the book on 07/07/07. I hope she's more sensitive than that. I would like it released on the 31st July, Harry's birthday.
Posted Apr 25, 2006 at 7:16 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
bruja-blanca says:
Well....we just need a date...don't we?
Posted Apr 25, 2006 at 6:36 PM EST
Student
Points: 209
FemaleHarry says:
I think it could be possible ...we all know how sneaky JK can be.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 8:20 PM EST
Student
Points: 234
HermioneWatsonFan says:
way awsome!! It'll be released 7/7/07 at 7:00!! THAT'S NO COINCIDENCE!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:26 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 77
Potter Mania says:
It sounds great for everyone. I wish the opening was in the U.S. but I understand Harry has a big Internatinal fan base.
Posted Apr 28, 2006 at 8:43 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 22
nicenhappy says:
well, it would be cool if it did, but Ikind of doubt it.
Posted Apr 29, 2006 at 12:29 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
I would really like to see th release of the book on 07/07/07 for so many reasons. The biggest being that it would mean that the terrorists didn't win. That while something sad happened the world stands up and says no way, we won't sit back adn take it. By releasing her 7th magical book on such a magical day she would kind of being telling them all we go on.
I am rambling but I would really like to see the book July 7, 2007.
Posted Apr 29, 2006 at 1:50 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 25
captivated n obsessed says:
I don't know what I will do without any more tails of Harry Potter. I hope book #7 is not the last one. Mrs Rowling please don't end the Harry potter series. I look forward to the adventures of Harry's children. The magical world you have created is to enjoyable to end. I love your creation.
Posted Apr 29, 2006 at 6:29 PM EST
Squib
Points: 105
sirius'_gurl777 says:
I agree with roswelladdict , if the launch date is changed because of the events that happened, its like the whole world giving in to terrorism, but if we go on as normal, its the world saying, we dont want anything to do with terrorism. I just want the book released a.s.a.p!! l0L
Posted Apr 29, 2006 at 7:49 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
I am with captivated_n_obsessed, I love the world she has created and don't want to see the end ever.
Posted Apr 29, 2006 at 8:07 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1161
princess165 says:
Oh my gosh this theory is awesome but I can understand if people in the UK wouldnt want it released on the anniversary of the bombings. If it can't come out that day, I like the idea of the book being released on harry's birthday.
Posted Apr 30, 2006 at 1:03 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 55
Mrs. Radcliffe<3 says:
7 is a powerful number! i read on another site, that wuoted all the times she used seven and it was like 35 times!! Its my favorite number too so i am totally anxious now!!!
Posted May 1, 2006 at 10:23 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 21
flameaxe91 says:
I think book 7 should be released when I turn 16. 5/18/07. hah. but i think that dumbledore has a horcrux, anyone agree?
Posted May 3, 2006 at 12:18 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1041
*Peeves12 says:
It would feel so nice to have all the mysteries and puzzles solved after reading book 7. Like, who is R.A.B. and stuff like that. If the book is going to be released 07/07/07, that would be very "magical". But I don't want to wait that long!
Posted May 3, 2006 at 11:24 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
felixfelicis14 says:
Oh I have bittersweet feelings over this.
Posted May 5, 2006 at 4:24 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
felixfelicis14 says:
I want to read the 7th book, but what will we do after all the books are finished?
Posted May 5, 2006 at 4:25 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 449
Emma#1fan says:
Cool! sounds kind of mysterious.
Posted May 5, 2006 at 6:03 PM EST
Squib
Points: 148
tiffy_grint says:
I don't care how long it takes. I just want to read book 7. I wish the series went up tp 20 books instead of 7. But hey 7 is better then 3 right..
Posted May 5, 2006 at 8:20 PM EST
Snape's Little Angel
Points: 3277
Snape's Daughter says:
I can't wait for it to come out. Neither can my daughters!
Posted May 9, 2006 at 2:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1240
HpDH6786 says:
I hope book seven does come at on 07/07/07. That would be cool. I hope Harry goes back to school. I think Ron and Hermione will talk him into returning.
Posted May 10, 2006 at 8:23 PM EST
Student
Points: 230
Hermy Fan says:
I cant wait to read it!!!!!!!!!!!!I keep wondering who dies i hope its not harry!Waiting ,it's so hard.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 9:54 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 46
mitchgargoyle says:
A good friend of mine brought this up to me and after some time to think about it and some consideration, I think that 07/07/07 would not only be a great day considering all the references in the book but just the fact that the book and the movie would promote eachother so well. The book would have been out for about 6 days and then all of us Potter fanatics would have yet another Pottermania to go for. If the book release is 07/07/07 I say that will be the best summer ever.
Posted May 15, 2006 at 4:45 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
harryhead16 says:
That stinks in needs to be this year I love the books giving it a sort of a gimick means you think its not going to be as good as the last and any way theres loads of people who anxious for its arrival.
Posted May 16, 2006 at 11:01 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 43
Xtreme_witch says:
i can't believe we have to wait an ENTIRE YEAR. i shall die. i wish jkr could write faster (not that i could or that i know anyone that could).
Posted May 16, 2006 at 9:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
*Indi Zabini* says:
Because it is the last book I really wouldn't mind wait so long for it to come out. After the book comes out, the only thing to look foward to is the next three movies. And after that there's nothing. Harry Potter is finally coming to an end.
Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:41 PM EST
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