DAVE MORGAN FOR
CAUTION TAPE POETRY
“Beyond the
Caution Tape” PART ONE
With Caution
Tape Poetry Founder and Poet Charles Banks, Jr.
INTERVIEW
Dave Morgan: So,
Charles! What is “Caution Tape Poetry?”
Charles
Banks, Jr.: At the heart of this new operation of mine, Caution Tape
Poetry serves as an informational hub for those who wish to become
published poets. Over the last couple of years, I have encountered many closet
poets who indulge in writing poetry for the sheer love and appreciation of
the art form—and they always inquire about how to actually get published. I
decided to create the Caution Tape Poetry blog online for inquiring minds to
obtain information on publishing sites, poetry contests, and what magazines to
subscribe to and heed advice from. There are posted works from myself on the
blog that will be featured in upcoming projects that will be released under the
Caution Tape Poetry label. We also, as a footnote, help poets develop
publish-ready manuscripts to submit to literary agencies and various
self-publishing agencies.
Dave: What
are some of your plans for Caution Tape Poetry?
Charles: I’m
not exactly sure what the plans are yet. For now, I’m merely trying to
establish Caution Tape as an entity in poetry. I eventually want it to become a
publishing agency that spreads the goodness poetry to the world. In my short
time as a poet, the craft has given me such freedom, so much that I want
to, in some way, extend my hand and give back to it. I want to make sure it
thrives. In essence, I want to give others’ the opportunities that I have had.
Dave: You
actually discovered self-publishing while surfing the Web one faithful night.
Where did the knowledge to navigate through the complicated waters of self-publish derive?
Charles:
I’m a control freak, Dave! With everything I do, I want to have input in it.
Like you said, I basically stumbled upon the idea of self-publishing. To be
specific, I stumbled upon Lulu.com, and then to PublishAmerica! It takes a lot to self-publish. There are
so many things one must take into account: proof reading, size of the book, ISBN
number, and copyrighting; the outside appearance of the book, ect… It can give
you a headache!
Dave: How
has it gone for you thus far? You’re three books in to your career.
Charles: It’s
gone okay so far. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish so far, but
I want more. I have so much left to say, and I feel like people will actually
want to read what I have to say. For me, I learned through trial and error.
And I am still learning. I learn everyday! I hope to take what I have learned
in these last two crucial years of my life and put them to good use now.
Dave: I
keep seeing some of the Facebook posts, which hint toward a project coming soon
from you. What are you working on now?
Charles:
Currently, I am working on four projects. Two Curiosity projects and two
Black Angel projects. But my attention is focused on my first editing
clients and directing their projects in the right direction.
Dave: Can
we get a hint as to where you are as an artist? What we can expect for the
future?
Charles: In
this case, my pen is sealed shut! (laughs). I have been published three times
this year, and if you read those poems, you will certainly be able to gage
where I am as an artist right now. (Dave Morgan for CTP)
MORE INFORMATION
ON CAUTION TAPE POETRY AVAILABLE NOW:
MORE INFORMATION
ON CHARLES BANKS, JR. AVAILABLE NOW:
This
is a CAUTION TAPE POETRY Interview
“Step beyond the caution tape at your own
peril!
Just remember, you were forewarned.”
CHARLES’ PUBLISHED POEMS FOR 2011 ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING
ONLINE:
- Aftermath (Written as Black Angel)
- Shattered Glass Bottle (Written as Black Angel)
- A Mother’s Abandon (Written as Black Angel)
