Support scammed author & partner with community for ethical publishing advocacy.

Okay, I've taken a look at the Reddit post and its comments.

Analysis of Reddit Post 1l26mey ("I think I got scammed."):

The original poster (OP) shared their experience of likely being scammed by a self-publishing company ("Milton and Hugo") after providing details to a website linking authors with such companies. The OP paid a significant sum and feels foolish and naive. The comments are overwhelmingly supportive of the OP, critical of predatory "vanity presses," and offer advice. Many commenters distinguish between paying for legitimate author services (editing, cover design, formatting) and paying a "publisher" to publish, which is generally seen as a scam.

Identified Potential Influencers / Active Community Members for Collaboration:

1. The Original Poster (OP) of 1l26mey:

   • Reasoning: They are at the center of a highly engaged discussion about a negative experience with a self-publishing service. They are now acutely aware of the pitfalls and would likely be receptive to ethical alternatives. Their story is a cautionary tale, and a positive resolution or future experience with a legitimate service could become a powerful testimonial.
   • Willingness: High. They've expressed regret and a desire to learn. They are vulnerable and likely seeking genuine help.

2. Commenter: "I'm so sorry that this happened to you. These companies prey on new writers. As an author, the publishing house should pay you for the right to the book, not the other way around."

   • Reasoning: This commenter self-identifies as an author, shows empathy, and provides a core piece of industry wisdom. Their clear stance against predatory practices and their identity as an author give them credibility.
   • Willingness: Potentially high to advocate for ethical practices and support fellow authors.

3. Commenter: "Unfortunately, this does happen a lot and it is a scam. You can pay for services like editing, formatting, cover design, etc., and there are legitimate providers of those services. However, paying..." (and similar commenters distinguishing legitimate services from scams)

   • Reasoning: These commenters demonstrate an understanding of the nuances of the self-publishing service industry. They are not wholesale condemning all paid services but are clearly against deceptive "publishing package" scams. They act as knowledgeable voices within the community.
   • Willingness: Likely willing to share their knowledge and endorse ethical service providers if approached correctly.

Collaboration Suggestions and Expected Benefits (Assuming Your Company Offers Ethical Author Services):

1. With the Original Poster (OP) of 1l26mey:

   • Collaboration Suggestion:
     • Reach out privately with genuine sympathy for their situation.
     • Offer a complimentary consultation to discuss their manuscript and publishing goals, providing genuine advice without immediate sales pressure.
     • Consider offering a significant discount on a specific, transparent service they might need (e.g., professional editing, cover design, or formatting if they decide to self-publish correctly) as a gesture of goodwill to help them recover from their negative experience.
     • Offer to guide them on how to potentially report the scammy company or recoup funds, if applicable.
   • Expected Benefits:
     • Build Immense Goodwill: Demonstrates your company's ethical stance and commitment to author success.
     • Powerful Testimonial: If you successfully help them, their story of being scammed and then finding a legitimate, helpful partner (your company) would be incredibly impactful and authentic.
     • Brand Advocacy: A grateful OP can become a strong advocate for your services within writing communities.
     • Positive PR: Showcasing a "rescue" story can enhance your brand's reputation as a trusted entity in a field with many predators.

2. With the Commenter ("As an author, the publishing house should pay you..."):

   • Collaboration Suggestion:
     • Acknowledge their insightful comment and alignment with your company's values.
     • Propose a collaboration on content creation. This could be a joint blog post, an interview for your company's blog/podcast, a Q&A session on social media, or co-authoring a guide on "Red Flags in Self-Publishing" or "How to Choose Ethical Author Services."
     • If they have their own platform (blog, social media following), explore cross-promotion.
   • Expected Benefits:
     • Credibility by Association: Aligning with an author who champions ethical practices boosts your company's credibility.
     • Valuable Content: Creates authentic, helpful content that resonates with your target audience (authors wary of scams).
     • Expanded Reach: Leverage their potential network to introduce your brand to more authors.
     • Thought Leadership: Positions your brand as a knowledgeable and ethical leader in the author services space.

3. With Knowledgeable Commenters (who distinguish legitimate services from scams):

   • Collaboration Suggestion:
     • Engage with their comments in the thread (if appropriate and timely), affirming their points and subtly introducing your company as an example of an ethical provider.
     • Invite them to contribute a guest post to your blog on a topic they are passionate about (e.g., "The Difference Between Vanity Press and Author Services," "Essential Services Worth Paying For as a Self-Publisher").
     • Offer them early access to or a discount on your services in exchange for honest feedback or a review (if they are also authors).
   • Expected Benefits:
     • Community Engagement: Builds rapport within relevant online communities.
     • Diverse Content: Enriches your content offering with varied perspectives.
     • Authentic Reviews/Feedback: Gathers genuine input that can be used for testimonials or service improvement.
     • Grassroots Marketing: Positive word-of-mouth from respected community members.

Overall Strategy: The key is to approach these individuals with genuine empathy and a focus on providing value first, rather than a hard sell. The community around this post is highly sensitized to predatory behavior, so transparency and authenticity are paramount. Highlighting your ethical practices and author-centric approach will be crucial for any successful collaboration.