Add release checklist issue template; Document some of our timelines …

…around releases (#1538)

* Add a spec release checklist issue template

because I'm tired of copy/paste

* Document a chunk of our release approach

This should probably go elsewhere, but here is fine for now as a SCT-referenced doc/content.

* changelog

* Brief clarifications

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+name: [SCT] Release checklist
+about: Used by the Spec Core Team to create a new release.
+title: 'Matrix 1.X'
+labels: 'release-blocker'
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+<!-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->
+<!-- Please asssign the release coordinator (probably yourself) to this issue -->
+<!-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->
+
+Date: **Thursday, May 25, 2023** <!-- CHANGE ME -->
+Previous release: <!-- LINK TO LAST RELEASE'S CHECKLIST -->
+
+Preflight checklist ([release steps](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec/blob/main/meta/releasing.md)):
+
+* [ ] Blog post written
+* [ ] Check for release blockers that may have been missed
+* [ ] Review/fix the changelog
+
+Release checklist ([release steps](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec/blob/main/meta/releasing.md)):
+* [ ] Branch stuffs
+* [ ] Github release artifact
+* [ ] Published to spec.matrix.org
+* [ ] All links work
+* [ ] Publish blog post
+* [ ] Announce in #matrix-spec, client developers, HS developers, SCT office, and other rooms as warranted
+* [ ] Post to Twitter/Mastodon
+* [ ] Close this issue
+
+Known release blockers:
+* [ ] <!-- Issue/PR link -->

changelogs/internal/newsfragments/1538.clarification

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Document more of the spec release timeline/process.

meta/releasing.md

@@ -4,6 +4,51 @@ The whole specification is now released as a single unit/artifact. This document
 the process for releasing the specification and a description of how the (public)
 machinery works.
 
+## Timeline
+
+The spec is released each calendar quarter. The target release dates are within the
+following ranges:
+
+* Q1: January 20-27 (critically, before FOSDEM).
+* Q2: May 20-27.
+* Q3: August 20-27.
+* Q4: November 1-15 (before recurring November conflicts, like IETF).
+
+The SCT aims to have dates picked out by:
+
+* Q1: January 10.
+* Q2: May 1.
+* Q3: August 1.
+* Q4: October 15.
+
+When a release date is picked, a [checklist](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec/issues/new?assignees=&labels=release-blocker&projects=&template=release.md&title=Matrix+1.X)
+issue is created to track details of the release. Release blockers should continue to
+be accepted up until 7 calendar days prior to the release date.
+
+**Release dates are not promises.** The SCT reserves the ability to change, cancel,
+postpone, etc a release for any reason. Do not rely on a release happening on a given
+day until the release has actually happened & blog post published.
+
+Once a release is scheduled, the SCT will begin planning what the next release is
+expected to look like. The plan should be included in the spec release blog post,
+and be ready for exeuction on spec release day. Plans are guides and not promises.
+
+A blog post for the SCT members to review should be ready at minimum 1 week before
+the target release date. 1-2 days before the release itself, the prerequisite steps
+below are executed to ensure the spec release can go ahead.
+
+## Release composition
+
+*This section is a work in progress.*
+
+Mentioned above, the SCT aims to have spec releases quarterly. Each quarter has a
+slightly different theme to it:
+
+* Q1: Massive feature release, if possible. This generally happens thanks to FOSDEM.
+* Q2: Regular feature release, if possible.
+* Q3: Momentum-continuing feature release, if possible.
+* Q4: Preferably a maintenance release, but will accept features per normal.
+
 ## Prerequisites / preparation
 
 First, can we even release the spec? This stage is mostly preparation work needed