EPIC - Worth it or not?

Hmm... since I just got one project off my desk, I have to admit, I don't really feel like writing right now. I've got a first draft (of the train-wreck story I blogged about a few days ago) to deal with, and I'm in the early portion of a new book - but I'm kind of fried right now. That always makes me feel kind of guilty, because so many writers swear by making sure they write every single day. I can't do that. Some say it makes you less of a professional if you don't, but I don't necessarily agree. If I know all I'm going to write is crap simply to fulfill a daily quota, it's just a waste of time. A day off here and there won't kill me. At least, I don't think it will.

Either way, I took today off (though I did print out the latest pages in the WIP, so maybe that counts). I relaxed. I hung around Absolute Write for a while. I played in the pool with the kids. And then watched Jurassic Park III - which isn't the greatest movie ever made, but for some reason, I love it. I watch it all the time.

But as I was going through my emails, I realized my EPIC membership is due for renewal next month. Now, a while back, I did a post on whether or not it would be worth it to renew my RWA membership (probably not, but I have to, so I'll be sending them their dues in a few weeks as well.)

I joined EPIC (which is the Electronically Published Internet Connection), a group for e-published authors, last summer in the wake of RWA's National Conference. It was after RWA announced they were doing away with their Publisher Recognition and revamping their standards for their Published Authors Network (PAN) membership. What a mess that was, looking back. Can't wait for that fun to start again (which it probably will, once e-published authors start reaching the required advance/royalties earned dollar amount.)

As I recall, there was a huge spike in EPIC applications because of how teed off e-published authors were over the RWA kerfuffle. I joined because I thought it'd be a good move. Was it? Not so much.

Not that there's anything inherently wrong with EPIC. I do think there is a bit of conflict of interest, since publishers can become members as well - which doesn't really fill me with confidence that EPIC can claim complete non-bias when it comes to author/publisher disputes. They do offer some things to epublished writers, such as what might be considered a red flag in contracts, but other than that, I haven't really gotten all that much out of them. Of course, that is partially on me as well, simply because I just don't have time to read all the email I get on the EPIC loops. Maybe I'm missing out, but I don't think so.

So, I don't think I'll be renewing this year. It'll mean a little less email to clutter up my inbox, which is nice. But I can't really think of any compelling reason to keep up my membership there.
And since I really have nothing to lose by not renewing it, I can't see the point.

So, if anyone out there can give me a good reason, I might reconsider. Until then, I think I'm going to let it expire and let that be that.