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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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Prefect
Points: 337
Cindy Weasley says:
WOW!!! I was going crazy with wanting to know the release date. Now that I do I can atleast start preparing for the end. I will b 20!! It´s crazy so old and loving Harry Potter. I think that I´m gonna grow old loving this series. It´s truly amazing!!!
When I read the books I forget all my problems. For me it´s a type of escape.
Thank you JK for providing the escape I need!!!
-Ron´s Wife
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2157
HogwartsWitch says:
Cheeser, I agree that it would be a killer marketing plan...but, I did think that they were going to torture us all with a longer wait for the book. I also thought that OoTP was coming out around that time - and to my knowledge, a book and movie have never come out at the same time before. I also agree with the poster that said it's the anniversary of the London bombings - obviously a day of mourning for London so I'm not sure if they would consider that the perfect day to release the book.
That being said, though, I love the idea of it - and I would be jumping for joy if it were true, as it's really not that far off. Well, it is, but at least it's a bearable wait! The 7th book on 7/7/07!!! :)
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:43 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1077
ymn11 says:
That's great! I can't wait for book 7 and it would be really cool if it came out during that time frame because we have waited atleast two years apart for books 4, 5, and 6 to come out and it wouldn't be anything new to us. It's just good to notice that book 7 would be coming out during that time and not at a later date(Hopefully). As long as this is a good estimation for the release date I'm okay because it's better than no information at all about book 7. It also gives us some time to think about book 7. And I didn't notice the similarities with all those number sevens regarding the release date of harry potter books and world news.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:49 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1104
Ravenclaw Tower Dude says:
OH MY GOSH! Thats really cool! I really hope thats when it gets released!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:50 PM EST
Ron's Love Advisor
Points: 5896
~Sarah~ says:
I'm totally going for the 7 theroy. It is just so perfect. It seems like it is just meant to be. I hope it comes out then, it's not too long of a wait. It is excellent timing.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:54 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 350
Puffskein16 says:
Wow! Perfect date! Please keep it as that! *screams in excitement*
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
hermioneadmirer says:
I can't wait for the seventh book.It must not be released in a year because she does need to prefect it.I do strongly belive about concidences.I find them to be very interesting,but I do not like that one person pointed out it will be the anniversary of the London terrorist bombings.Keep it happy I say.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:57 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
WOw I never thought that book 7 will be released on 7/7/2007.she might do that after all 7 is a very powerful number in the magical world
This is very exciting! Im sure that Jo, has been planning on this for quite some time; I don't think its a mere coincidence. I cant wait to hear more info when everything is confirmed!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 4:58 PM EST
Points: 7
spog says:
i don't really care how long it takes- as long as it doesn't come out in 2008. cause the way i see it- the potter actors are safe from growing too old if the films are constantly in production. like Order of the Pheonix will probably be released in June of 2007, then Half Blood Prince most likely in November of 2008. as long as its good and she doesn't try to rush, its all good.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:00 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
i can so see this happening as well. it IS too perfect.
07/07/07
i love 07 because thats the year i graduate ;o)
but yeah that would be great to have it lined up like that, and all what you said about the 7's and Saturdays and blah blah blah...true dat.
that would be pretty darn funny (and lucky for you) if this does end of happening. maybe JK will consider this.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:04 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Tbat would be an intresting coiencdence if she does manage to get it published then. I hope so. At least we will able to know the title of it by then!
As it coinsides with the 1 year anerviseray on 07/07, I feel that it doesn't have sugnificance, as it will eb about a seprate thing. The people who would want to go to the momarial service, would do so, and the people who would buy Harry Potter would do so. It won't change the world. I think people are panicking about it when there is no need to.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1976
AncientJoy says:
Well, personally, the number 7 has always been my favorite number. I believe it to be God's most perfect number... and I don't believe it a coincidence that Ms. Rowling has used that number on several occasions. (even the word "several" means 7) Though a person could go mad thinking of all the ramifications! I really don't care when the book comes out.... I just want it to come out... ASAP!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1841
Remmy4193 says:
Wow, that's way too much of a coincedence. Too many 7's for book 7. But it would be cool if it did. Did Rowling plan all this? Hmm, she probably did.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:11 PM EST
Substitute Chosen One
Points: 3021
Mr Fishbein says:
Oooh I like the idea. The only problem is that July 7th 2007 is a long way away...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1596
Truska says:
It does make sense for the 7th book to be released on the 7th day, of the 7th month, of the 7th year. But how are we supposed to wait that long?
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:15 PM EST
Magical Music Professor
Points: 4841
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
That is about what we all expected, June or July 2007. It sounds like forever from now.
That is very interesting, all of those 7s. I don't know if JKR has thought about that outside of her novels, but it sounds good.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
it would be perfect, don´t you think? And in this way, I could have it for my birthday (16). but honestly, I doubt that the book will be finish then.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
Great article! And so true. I hope she does release it 7/7/2007 but I'm wondering about the OotP being released the same year so close. Perhaps they'll do it in November instead of July. I don't know. But I agree as long as we get a seventh book I'll be happy :)
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:17 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 300
NymphandoraCallel says:
Thats sweet, I hadn't heard about this yet, but it sounds exciting!! I just can't wait for it to come out, although after all the longing, it will be such a dissapointment too because thus ends the epic saga of Harry Potter...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:18 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4655
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
We all thought that already, seeing as 7 is the lucky magic number. That would be so sweet if Jo takes that into consideration and does release the book on 07/07/07! That would rock! And if so, I'm so excited! And counting down the days! 557 days until the problitmatical opening of Harry Potter 7!!!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:19 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 45
Phawkes says:
When book 7 comes out I want to get it ASAP!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:26 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 438
Ainhoa says:
It'd be great, but then the new movie ant the book would be released about the same time and I don't know if that is very good...
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 746
SheylaLove says:
That's cool! But I just want to know when it's confirmed! I'll start screaming when I'm SURE I'm not just getting my hopes up, because it's a long way to fall.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:29 PM EST
Squib
Points: 118
bother101 says:
That's a lot of 7's! That would be cool to have it out on 07/07/07 though! But I also don't want to rush her work. Whenever it comes out, I'll be in a Barnes & Nobles waiting in line at the midnight party.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 818
ElizabethRG says:
wow I hope it comes out then, that would be so magical and amazing!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:31 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
7/7/2006 would be a LOT better for me.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 5:33 PM EST
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