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Commentary: Harry Potter Book 7 on July 7, 2007 
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: 603
*Rabia* says:
I think it would be a really cool coincidence, but I don't want to have to wait that long!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1518
R//V/@ 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
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1649
Veela_gurl says:
That would definitely be interesting. Coincidence of course, but interesting. We'll have to wait and see.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:39 PM EST
Twilight Princess
Points: 2556
xXHpFreak4lifeXx says:
That would be so neat if it was released on that day. And if OotP was released that summer too! All those 7's are giving me a headache...
~Lauren~
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:41 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2197
Pheonixflames 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 Dec 27, 2005 at 2:46 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37920
tonks black says:
Ooo I like this idea..and we know that JKR visits HPANA from time to time even if she doesn't post, so she might be reading this and thinking about how you possibly unveiled her master plan..heh.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:47 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1175
hermyfreak says:
That would be so awesome, someone must write to her and tell her that- well no. SHe probabally already knows I can't wait 7/7/07!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Dumbledore's_Ghost says:
The over lapping of releases would actually boost sales. One see Order of the Pheonix they'll want to know what happens after it and people will but book 6 AND 7. What I would love is this: Order of the Pgeonix released on the Friday before hand. Get out of the theater then go stand in line for the book. That would create so much crazy it's almost unbearable.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:47 PM EST
Witch
Points: 822
I love HP says:
I would love it if book 7 came out 7/7/07 that would be such a good way to go out for jo!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:49 PM EST
I'm Daniel's Everything
Points: 4009
KissMeInTheRain says:
Wow, some people have truly given this a lot of thought!!! I just sit back and wait for her to annouce when it will come out! But now that I see all the similarities one must come to the conclusion that she can't not release it on that date....it's too perfect!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1373
Max. says:
On 7-7-07 comes the 7th book, and 7 is the powerfullst number in the wizard world, so this book must be perfect!!!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:55 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
Chadick says:
Book 7. 07/07/07...that would be the day. What a coincidence it will be. I can't wait any longer, but at the same time, I'm dreading it since that will be the last Harry Potter book that Jo will ever write (presuming).
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:55 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1754
Hermione5 says:
That is soooo great and I 'm so happy we lready hear about book seven!!! 070707, is the perfect date, and if you think about it, it's not that far away! :D I thought we should wait more, so I'm happy with it! And I really love this intentional 7mystery thing
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:57 PM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
I cant wait till 2007. Accio Book 7
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
thesuperHHRfan113 says:
*YES!* I can't wait! Just another year, 6 months, and 11 days!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 2:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
thesuperHHRfan113 says:
7/7/07... Hee Hee that's my senior skip day... if school was in session then! It's the perfect day for book 7 to be released!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:00 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1022
Magical Teapot says:
We have had the 7 thing comming to us for a while. This is a probable date as as the others have been 2 years apart. It really will not seem as long as we thing (I hope)!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
That's such a weird and yet cool coincidence! I hope it does come out that day.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:01 PM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5024
juliebug04 says:
What a brilliant theory!
I would absolutely LOVE it if that was the release date, although it is MUCH too far away! I don't know how I would wait that long..........
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:02 PM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15499
auror_potter says:
WOW that is really just perfect! I cna't believe how perfect that is!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 559
Sirius_Shall_Rise_Again says:
I'm not sure that it was a considence that the 7th book wil come out on 7/7/07.....I think Jo set it up that way. Im also not sure i can handle the wait for another year and 6 months etc. It will be a long wait...but it will make everybody want the book even more i guess...
Sammy_10
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:04 PM EST
Squib
Points: 170
~gryffindorboysrock~ says:
That would be so cool if book 7 was coming out on 7/7/07. Since I live in the East Coast of the U.S., 7 pm! I can't wait.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:04 PM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
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 3:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1341
~*~ Ronald Weasley ~*~ says:
I had already guested that it would be coming out in the summer of 2007 and seven but i think it is so cool that it is coming out on 07/07/07 that is just the most perfect considence. But I find it a bit weird that we know this far in advance.
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:10 PM EST
Headmaster
(Moderator)
Cheeser says:
The_Phoenix_Lament - thanks for pointing out July 7 is the London bombing anniversary, that could be quite important (I've added it to the commentary, in fact).
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:12 PM EST
Princess of Darkness
Points: 6022
Mrs. Tom Andrew Felton says:
I thinkg that would be the coolest thing ever! Book 7 being released on 07/07/07! Simply outrageously awesome! Now I really want it to be released on that date! Keeheehee!
Posted Dec 27, 2005 at 3:14 PM EST
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