OoP release date -- don't read if you're easily depressed ;)

[chanteuse thalia chaunacy]

jrthebug: you still work at a bookstore, perchance?
Rosaleen17: yes...
jrthebug: i have to ask
jrthebug: heard anything about release date for HP5?
Rosaleen17: ok...
Rosaleen17: *sigh*  you'll hate this.
Rosaleen17: scholastic announced that it would be another year and a half 
because the manuscript was not ready when it was supposed to be
jrthebug: when was this announcement?
Rosaleen17: within the last month, i think.  my boss was telling me about 
it.  he's usually pretty reliable about stuff like that
jrthebug: somebody on the list swears their bookstore friend said by may
Rosaleen17: we were saying by may.  and then by november...
Rosaleen17: *sigh*  when they have an official date they will tell us
jrthebug: ok, but...
jrthebug: Gretchen said "According to the 2002 financial report for 
Scholastic, Inc., they expect to publish the OoP early in their 2004 
fiscal year, which begins on June 1, 2003.  This is close to what you 
have been told, it seems.  Hopefully we will have confirmation in the 
next month or so. In an earlier article, can't remember which, they 
stated it was about 6 months from recieving a completed manuscript to 
publication.  We should be hearing soon, if these dates are correct."
jrthebug: the question is--when did said '2002 financial report' come 
out? wouldn't that have been like may 2002?
Rosaleen17: right.  since then, they didnt get the manuscript as predicted
jrthebug: ah

she also said something about midnite sales on the release day! did this 
happen for GoF? <does happy dance> i'm so there ... even if it is in a 
year and a half ...

thalia 'always up for spreading despondency' chaunacy

"Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!"  -Albus Dumbledore