There is no longer such a thing as an RWA "recognized publisher." Too many writers, members and non-members, saw the list as a stamp of approval. Which it wasn't.
A couple of years ago, they changed things. RWA now has two lists for publishers.
(1) Eligible Publishers
(2) Non-Vanity, Non-Subsidy Publishers
In order to be an Eligible Publisher, a publisher has to be a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher, be in business for at least 3 years with national distribution, and pay at least $1,000 advance for all romance novels or at least $500 for all romance novellas.
In order to be on the Non-Vanity, Non-Subsidy list, the publisher has to not be a vanity or subsidy press. That one's pretty self-explanatory.
The big difference between the two, other than the obvious, is that Eligible Publishers are allowed space at the national conference for editor appointments, publisher spotlights, publisher sponsored booksignings, etc. That's it.
The Eligible Publishers list isn't tied to PAN requirements. As long as an RWA member makes $1,000 on a single novel (either via an advance, royalties, or a combination of both) and his/her publisher is on the list of Non-Vanity, Non-Subsidy publishers, then that member can be in PAN.
As an aside, White Rose isn't listed on the Non-Van, Non-Sub list but Wild Rose Press is.
Hope that helps.
