Security is very tight to ensure that no part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released to the public before July 21.

As she is writing it, only J. K. Rowling has a copy of the book. On her visit to the United States for an event with Stephen King and John Irving, she was asked to check in her manuscript but she insisted on taking it with her on the plane and she was granted this request.

As she is working on the cover and chapter illustrations, Mary GrandPre keeps her copy of the finished manuscript in a safe and speaks of it to no one. Her family and friends do not even ask her about it.

Everyone involved in producing the book, printers, distributors, and others, are required to sign confidentiality agreements. Booksellers like ourselves have our own agreements to sign which essentially says we will not distribute the book before midnight of July 21, London time (7am here). The books and even the cartons they come in cannot be photographed before the release date. We must ensure that the books are placed in a very secure location as soon as they are released to us on a date we cannot reveal. We would not want any part of this book accidentally leaking out as we know it will take away from everyone’s enjoyment.