I think this is the best way for someone who just wants to play with Gopher initially to get started: "syndicate" whatever HTTP content you have, appropriately

I think this is the best way for someone who just wants to play with Gopher initially to get started: "syndicate" whatever HTTP content you have, appropriately distilled down to text (Markdown all the things?), to Gopher simultaneously. And if you get action that way, maybe some exclusive Gopher content later. The protocol is so simple that writing your own server and client is trivial, and it's fun.