Phase 3.5: Newsletter Generation with Mailchimp API Integration

[ckenst]

Overview

Develop a newsletter generation system that works with the Mailchimp API. This includes building a draft generator, integrating with Mailchimp, and supporting editorial review while maintaining subscriber consent and privacy.

Goals

• Create a command-line tool to generate newsletter drafts for a target month
• Read conference data from _data/current.yml and select relevant conferences
• Generate polished Markdown drafts with timely information (CFP, registration, early-bird)
• Support editorial review and sponsor content
• Integrate with Mailchimp API for draft creation and management
• Keep final sending manual until the workflow is proven safe

Implementation Notes

• Upgrade or replace tools/monthly_data.rb with a non-interactive command (e.g., --month 2026-09)
• Define recurring newsletter sections and selection rules
• Document the Newsletter Format with representative past issues
• Render Markdown drafts rather than raw YAML
• Group supported CFP, registration, and early-bird info without inventing missing details
• Include clearly marked areas for introduction, sponsor copy, announcements, and notes
• Store generated drafts in a version-controlled, predictable location
• Make repeated generation deterministic
• Integrate Mailchimp API for managing drafts (create, update, preview)
• Protect Mailchimp API credentials (use environment variables or GitHub secrets, never commit)
• Maintain human control of sending—no automatic send

Related

• Part of Phase 3.5: Newsletter Generation & Platform Migration
• Depends on: Phase 1.5 completion
• Complements: Quality Ledger & Metrics (Phase 2)

Acceptance Criteria

• monthly_data.rb or successor accepts --month parameter
• Markdown drafts are generated and stored predictably
• Newsletter format is documented with examples
• Mailchimp API integration allows draft creation
• API credentials are protected (never committed)
• Editorial review areas are clearly marked
• Generated drafts are repeatable and deterministic
• Tests cover month selection, chronological order, missing dates, escaping, links, empty-month behavior
• Workflow documentation includes command, expected output, review checklist, and troubleshooting

Resources

• ROADMAP.md Phase 3.5: Newsletter Generation & Platform Migration
• Mailchimp API documentation: https://mailchimp.com/developer/marketing/api/
• Current tools/monthly_data.rb implementation
• Representative past newsletter issues