Dog Pond Press: A Virtual Book Store

For several years this was the website for Dog Pond Press, a subsidy publishing house that prides itself on bringing quality products to the reading public.
Content is from the site's 2004 - 2006 archived pages.

Virtual Book Store

Our snail mail address is:
Dog Pond Press
c/o eBizOpz
Box 27
West Springfield, MA. 01090

Welcome to the Dog Pond Press virtual book store. Close your eyes for a minute. Can't you just smell that unique book store smell? There's nothing else like it in the whole world. This is the way I enter every book store, with my eyes closed and taking a minute to enjoy the sounds of rustling paper and the smells of books just waiting to be read.

In here you'll find new and used books. Each has its own distinct drawing power. There's the feeling of newness as each crisp page turns in a new book, and you know that you are the first one to hold it and enjoy it. In our virtual book store you'll find books by new authors hose works may not be found in your local bookstore. You can tell your friends you found them in the bookstore at Dog Pond Press. On the other hand, there's something fascinating about a used book as you turn the pages. Someone else has been here before you. Were they thinking the same thoughts as yours as they read this scene? Or did their imagination take them down a completely different path? Used books tend to take longer for me to read, for some reason. If you would prefer to buy any books from our virtual book store with a check or money order please print out this page and fill in your order. We would like to make your visit here as pleasant as possible.

Dog Pond Press

Who are you?

That's a good question. Dog Pond Press is a subsidy publishing house that prides itself on bringing quality products to the reading public. We are proud to partner with our authors to   produce a publication that is worthy of their hard work. A good book will transport you into another world, and spark your imagination. Images from your imagination will stay with you for the rest of your life. One thing we've learned is that there are never enough books in the world. With that thought in mind, we decided that we would bring to print books that other publishing houses have decided were just not good enough for them. If you've spent the time and effort to get your manuscript written down, we will get those words translated into book form and available to the buying public. Our goal is to keep your setup fees as low as possible while keeping your royalty payments as high as possible. We're seeking to maintain a win/win situation for everyone.

Why Dog Pond?

When I was a kid growing up, one of my favorite places to be in  the whole world was on my grandparents farm. Being city born and raised, to me it was like a different universe filled with wondrous things. There were geese and ducks in the pond, and horses and goats and cats and dogs galore. A phrase that was common in that household was a dire warning to the canine population - "If you don't behave it's off to the dog pond with you!". Even now that I know what my grandparents were really saying, I still hear what was in my mind at the time.

Our store is growing day by day. Feel free to search for your favorite book or author.

West Springfield Massachusetts - Stories Carved in Stone by Rusty Clark

A new field guide to gravestones, carvers and symbolism, Stories Carved in Stone walks you through five old cemeteries in West Springfield, Massachusetts, dating to the Agawam Plantation in the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Stories Carved in Stone begins with a short history of West Springfield, burial and funeral practices from the 1600s to present-day, the art and craft of gravestone carving, and includes common and curious causes of death, and a helpful glossary.

From the Colonial settlers, through the French and Indian, Revolutionary, and Civil Wars, and the Victorian Era, and into the opening years of the 20th century, you’ll see how attitudes and mores have changed the way we memorialize our loved ones and our "honored dead."

Testimonial
Ellen Dodson of Rochester, New York says: I wonder how people in the future will see what we are living now. I hope there will be another Rusty Clark to tell our story. You will love Rusty's book if you're into genealogy  or just have a curiosity for old graveyards! I'm sure I will read it over and over! It has history...it has a touch of humor...it has facts...and stories...all wrapped up in this one book! If you are interested in books like this...give it a read!

These five guided tours include easy maps, more than a hundred individual gravestone photographs, many more illustrations, and the stories that bring the epitaphs to life. You’ll be pointed to details on the stones themselves to help you begin to recognize the work of some of the important Connecticut Valley gravestone carvers, whose works are found throughout New England and surrounding areas.

If you are researching your family tree, check out the index  (*PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader available here),  you may find your ancestors among the pioneering folk who settled Western Massachusetts in the 1600s. If you are the curious sort, this just might be start of a lifelong fascination with the art and history found in New England burying grounds.
Testimonials

Mary Vileta of Old Bones says: You really bring people to life in Stories Carved in Stone. I like it!

Betty Ralph of Huntsville, Alabama says: Enjoying your book so much! Amazed at...the black and white photos...Found myself wanting to reach out and touch them...You presented everything so well - even those without a passion for history should enjoy reading it.

Sally Buttons of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee says: In the early 20th century, Pigeon Forge where I am from, was an isolated mountain hamlet with no major roads. Perhaps the most famous attractions in Pigeon Forge are the Dollywood theme park and the Dixie Stampede theater, both owned by country music superstar Dolly Parton—whose hometown is in Sevierville, just a few miles from Pigeon Forge. But my husband is from the northeast and I've visited his family quite a few times. Just like the author I love meandering thrrough cemetaries looking at gravestones and imagining the stories they hold beneathe them. We have our own cemetaries down here in Pigeon Forge, the most notable and closest is the Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens and the Shiloh Memorial cemetery which has a vast number of informative Civil War graves with plenty of different headstones. Got way back relatives in the Shilioh cemetary. I always bring some fanciful paper flowers my kids have made to place on the grave stone. I buy the kit at the same store where I buy paper towels online along with a bunch of other paper products and cleaning supplies. I've got to say CleanItSUpplies has some of the best proces one can find online for your cleaning needs. The company where my huubie works also buys their janitorial supples from them. That's how I learned about the online site in the first place. Oh I am getting side tracked here. I just want to say that I really enjoyed West Springfield Massachusetts - Stories Carved in Stone by Rusty Clark. I wish he would write a bout about our Shiloh Memorial cemetery. It's got lot of history in those grave stones.

Holyoke Massachusetts - Stories Carved in Stone by Rusty Clark

Rusty Clark's next volume in the Stories Carved in Stone series is now available.

Holyoke, Massachusetts - Stories Carved in Stone, takes you into Holyoke's graveyards for a look at more than two hundred and fifty years of history, and the people who lived it.

This third book in the Stories Carved in Stone series completes the three-part overview of early West Springfield, Massachusetts, before Agawam and Holyoke became towns. Together they present a full picture of the gravestone carvers, the mourning practices, and the families who lived and died here. Gravestone fans and genealogists alike will find much to explore in these old cemeteries.

Order your copy of Stories Carved in Stonetoday for just $15.95!!

Services Available at Dog Pond Press

• Starter Kit*
• Trade Paperback includes:       
• Color cover (from our template collection)    
• International Standard Book Number (ISBN)             
• Bar Code          
• Author's photo and biography on back cover              
• Ten free copies of your book  
• Additional copies available at wholesale       
• Submission to Bowker's Books in Print database       
• Submission to Amazon            
• Submission to Barnes and Noble        
• Quarterly Royalty Payments if over $25.00

Starter Kit Price: $395.00 *    

Additional Services

• Every author is a unique individual. Therefore we offer additional services to fit your needs.
• These services and their corresponding fees are listed below:
• Image scans - $4.50 per image for interior illustrations printed in black and white.           
• Data Entry - $2.50 per page from a typed manuscript.          
• CD Rom Copy - $65.00 for your book in PDF format on CD.    
• Custom Cover Design - Starting at $300.00 with your input and approval.  
• Price is based on up to 104 pages text only for Trade Paperback (5.25" x 8.25").
• Free copies must be mailed to one address in the United States. International addressees will pay additional shipping charges.

Privacy Policy

It is the policy of Dog Pond Press to keep your email address and any other information we may receive about you completely private. We do not sell or share our customer informationwith anyone. We treat you the way we would want you to treat us.
If you have questions about privacy regarding our site, please email us at
info@dogpondpress.net
customer service # 1-413-734-1187

Return Policy

You can return any book for any reason for a refund within 10 days of receipt. Returns must be in salable condition, with ALL original materials and packing. We must charge a 25% restocking fee, and the customer is responsible for return shipping.  Simply email us at service@dogpondpress.net
Items purchased in our gift shop require special handling and are non-returnable. If the item is damaged in any way please email us at service@dogpondpress.net
Dog Pond Press is a division of eBizOpz. Your credit card statement will show your purchase
under the name eBizOpz. All transactions are conducted on secure servers for your protection as well as ours.

More Background on Dog Pond Press

Dog Pond Press, a subsidy publishing house, operated during a pivotal period in the evolution of independent and small-scale publishing. Focused on making literary works available to the public, particularly from new and lesser-known authors, Dog Pond Press played a critical role in providing a platform for voices that may not have been welcomed by larger traditional publishers. By operating as a virtual bookstore, the press offered a range of new and used books, helping niche authors reach their audience.

Founding Vision and Mission

The core philosophy of Dog Pond Press was deeply rooted in the belief that every manuscript, no matter how unconventional, deserves the opportunity to be turned into a book. By using a subsidy publishing model, Dog Pond Press worked collaboratively with authors to bring their books to life. This model was particularly appealing to writers who sought more control over their projects and royalties, as traditional publishing houses often imposed stricter editorial guidelines and offered smaller financial returns to authors.

Dog Pond Press worked with authors to produce books at minimal setup costs while ensuring higher royalty percentages. Their collaborative process involved several services like cover design, formatting, and distribution through major platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This approach reflected the growing trend in independent publishing where authors were increasingly taking control of their creative output, supported by new technologies and more flexible publishing options.

Contributions to Print Culture and Independent Publishing

Dog Pond Press operated in a larger context of the ongoing transformation of the publishing world. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the publishing industry was seeing a shift towards digital platforms and self-publishing, which gave authors more autonomy over their works. The rise of small presses like Dog Pond Press democratized the literary world, enabling voices that were previously marginalized by mainstream publishers to find their place in the market.

Independent presses have long played a crucial role in preserving local histories, niche cultural narratives, and personal stories that would often be overlooked by large commercial publishing houses. Dog Pond Press was no exception. Its catalog included works that emphasized personal and regional narratives, such as Badges of Honor: The History of the West Springfield Police Department and West Springfield Massachusetts: Stories Carved in Stone, both of which provided readers with insights into local history, genealogy, and gravestone art.

Audience and Notable Publications

The audience for Dog Pond Press consisted mainly of readers who were interested in niche subjects, regional history, and personal narratives. The press offered books in various categories, including both new and used titles. Among its notable works was West Springfield Massachusetts: Stories Carved in Stone by Rusty Clark, a book that delved into the historical significance of gravestones and the stories they told. This work, along with others in the series, catered to a readership that valued local history and genealogy. Another notable publication was Badges of Honor: The History of the West Springfield Police Department, which explored the evolution of the local police force and its significance in the community.

While the focus was on regional history, Dog Pond Press also ventured into lighter genres, as seen in Dad and Leenuts, a comedic portrayal of an Italian-American family’s humorous misadventures with the English language. This work provided a refreshing contrast to the more serious historical publications, demonstrating the press’s versatility in publishing diverse genres and styles.

Cultural and Social Significance

Dog Pond Press’s role in the independent publishing world highlights the broader cultural significance of small presses. By providing an outlet for authors with unique perspectives, the press contributed to the diversification of literature. Small presses like Dog Pond Press play a vital role in the literary ecosystem by supporting authors who write about topics that may not appeal to the mass market but are nonetheless culturally significant.

Dog Pond Press’s publications also served as a means of preserving local and personal histories. Works like West Springfield Massachusetts: Stories Carved in Stone not only documented the art of gravestone carving but also captured the stories of early settlers in the region. Such publications are essential in preserving cultural memory, as they provide future generations with insights into the lives and values of their ancestors.

Challenges and the Closure of Dog Pond Press

Despite its contributions to the literary world, Dog Pond Press faced challenges typical of many small and independent publishers. Operating on a subsidy model meant that the press was heavily reliant on authors for financial support, which limited its ability to grow and compete with larger publishing houses. Additionally, the rise of digital self-publishing platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and other online booksellers further increased competition, making it difficult for small presses to sustain their operations.

By the mid-2000s, Dog Pond Press, like many other small independent presses, found it increasingly challenging to maintain its operations. The shift towards digital publishing, the rise of e-books, and the consolidation of the publishing industry into fewer, larger entities left little room for small presses to thrive. Despite these challenges, Dog Pond Press remains a part of the legacy of independent publishing, remembered for its contributions to literary diversity and its role in supporting niche authors.

Dog Pond Press may no longer be operational, but its legacy endures through the works it published and the authors it supported. By offering an alternative to traditional publishing, the press played an important role in the democratization of literature. It gave authors greater control over their work while ensuring that niche topics, regional histories, and personal narratives found a place in the literary world.

Dog Pond Press’s dedication to fostering literary diversity, preserving cultural history, and supporting independent authors stands as a testament to the value of small presses in a rapidly changing publishing landscape. Even as the publishing industry continues to evolve with new technologies and platforms, the principles that Dog Pond Press championed—collaboration, inclusivity, and creative freedom—remain relevant today.