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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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Magical Music Professor
Points: 4841
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
Interesting article, Cheeser.
That is still almost a year away. For us Fans, that is forever. On the other hand, it will all be over...JKR's bit with her stories. That will be harder than the wait. Yes, we are all dying to know what will happen. But, Harry Potter and HPANA have been so much of our lives the pst few years.
Ah well, it will come when it comes and we will have to deal with it (paraphrasing Harry Potter).
Posted Aug 24, 2006 at 3:11 PM EST
Squib
Points: 133
*Lorna* says:
I can't wait for the final book to come out. It will be by far the best yet!
Posted Aug 26, 2006 at 4:16 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2213
Voldemort's Serpent says:
So CoO0L! if she does thaT!!!!!!
Posted Aug 27, 2006 at 3:39 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1186
Godric11 says:
That, along with OoTP...would make for a wonderful year of HP.
Posted Aug 28, 2006 at 2:26 PM EST
Silly Squib
Points: 3741
Mat Madcat says:
I think it would be absolutely brilliant to release the book on that date:) Besides, its not like she would get another numerological occurence like that one. Number theories aside, I just hope the book does come out the middle of next year. I have never waited in anticipation for a book quite like I have for the new HP book:)
Posted Aug 30, 2006 at 8:36 AM EST
Student
Points: 235
Pottergirl87 says:
I Hope, I Hope, I Hope, It comes out on that date though I wouldn't be mad it it came out before, but i would be if it came out after. Please Please Please....
Posted Aug 31, 2006 at 4:09 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 45
All Was Well. says:
It would be amazing if it came out on 07/07/07, but I don't know if I could wait that long. Plus the fifth movie will be coming out only days later. I don't know if I'll have enough time to digest what happened in the book and come to terms with the fact that the last book is over. : (
Posted Sep 2, 2006 at 9:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 538
Dementor Hugger says:
Its true that the number 7 is mentioned to have magical properties...I wonder if JKR will actually go ahead and release it on that date? It would be interesting to find out...it certainly would make all the sense! :)
Posted Sep 3, 2006 at 10:41 AM EST
Student
Points: 251
Emily Rocks says:
I hope the theory is true.
Posted Sep 4, 2006 at 10:53 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 88
Sirius Weasley says:
Well it's quite smart releasing book seven on 07/07/07 because of all the sevens, but I don't think it will be released then. I think it will be released later on that year.
Posted Sep 8, 2006 at 3:33 PM EST
Squib
Points: 180
hermioneismytwin says:
This is so neat! While I don't want to wait so long for the next book, having it like this would be great. I cannot wait until the last book comes out, yet I don't want it to end. Its just too great to end like this!
Posted Sep 8, 2006 at 7:19 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 4
NaomiBlack says:
That would be sooooooo great !
I'd be thrilled ... and unavailable for the whole week end !
Posted Sep 13, 2006 at 5:08 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 302
xGryffindorGirlx says:
I just love reading this, I can't wait for it to be finished!! And come out! I'm kinda sad though too cause this is the last book... :(
Posted Sep 13, 2006 at 8:55 PM EST
Points: 66
potters friend says:
The fourth movie was a sucess i loved it very much i eagerly waiting for da 5th movie my sis in da startin didnt like harry potter but now shes too
mad abt it.
Posted Sep 17, 2006 at 3:15 AM EST
Squib
Points: 139
accioqrana says:
This is the LAST book! so I don't want it to come that soon.
Posted Sep 27, 2006 at 3:32 AM EST
Student
Points: 266
TheORIGINALMrs.Snape says:
I can't wait any lonnger for the book. it's eating me inside to know whats gonna happen. i just hope this book comes out even before the date.
Posted Sep 28, 2006 at 10:11 AM EST
Student
Points: 200
The Smart One says:
I can't wait for the book. I just hope it will come out soon.
Posted Sep 30, 2006 at 4:52 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1414
Hp Fan 9374 says:
Great, can't wait for the book.
Best Regards,
Posted Oct 3, 2006 at 2:54 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 63
HpOOTP says:
I am dying to know what the name of the 7th book is. i can't wait till then. I also can't wait till HP and the order of the pheonix comes out in theaters on July 13, 2007.
Posted Oct 13, 2006 at 8:03 PM EST
Squib
Points: 151
fairyqueen says:
That is cool. Did not realize just how much of the seven thing was going on, until I read this article on it. I agree that the marketing for this is going to be out of this world. We already know that people want to know how the seventh book ends. I can already imagine poeple anxiously waiting to find out what happens and lining up at the doors to get the book.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:28 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 63
HpOOTP says:
i think it makes sense to release harry potter 7 on July 7 2007. couldn't be more perfect.
Posted Nov 5, 2006 at 4:03 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2316
loopy looney says:
i hope it is 7/7/07, but i doubt it will be, because everyone thinks it will come out on that date. I think JK will surprise us, and she will have the book come out when she feels like it.
Or because many people will be thinking along the same lines as me, she will have it released on that date, just to surprise us all.
You just never know with her.
Posted Nov 12, 2006 at 5:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Hmmm, book number 7 possibly released on 7/7/07? And number 7 is a most important number in the wizarding world! Quite a coincedence! It would be so cool if it were true! I can't wait for book 7!
Posted Nov 14, 2006 at 7:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 792
blossom says:
07/07/07
Wouldn't it be fantastic, we could get a book and a movie in the same month
Posted Nov 24, 2006 at 6:34 AM EST
Squib
Points: 123
Gryffindor Tower Queen says:
I highly recommend this Mugglenet editorial in support of the 7/7/07 release:
http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/editorials/edit-damonk01.shtml
However, it would be the 2-year anniversary of the London bombings...and I don't think the national day of mourning should be overshadowed by a book release.
Posted Nov 25, 2006 at 9:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
I think it's a cool day to release this book. But you never know. I guess it depends on how long it takes to edit and print the book, not to mention figuring out the logistics of the SECURITY!
Posted Nov 27, 2006 at 10:17 AM EST
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