Interview: How a Professional Curator Finds the Lines That Last — Amy Rios

Amy Rios is a quote curator and editor who has assembled collections for museums, corporate retreats, and public installations. In this interview she explains her discovery process, editorial rules, and the ethical choices involved when republishing famous lines.

On discovery

Q: Where do you start when looking for a quote?

Amy: I read diversely. Poetry, speeches, memoirs, and academic essays. Often a quote jumps out when a writer crystallizes an experience with precise language. I keep a database tagged by emotion, length, and context so I can surface lines when needed.

On selection criteria

Amy: My rules are simple: authenticity, clarity, and utility. Authenticity means the line should feel earned within its original text. Clarity is whether the line can stand alone. Utility asks: can this line be used to foster insight or action?

On context and integrity

Amy: Quotes migrated across time can change meaning. I always include the source and a brief context note. It’s irresponsible to present a line divorced from the conditions that gave it meaning.

“Context is the difference between a lantern and a beacon.” — paraphrase Amy uses to illustrate the point

On editing and attribution

Amy: We don’t alter famous lines. For older public-domain texts I'll sometimes modernize punctuation for readability, but I always note it. Attribution is non-negotiable. Readers appreciate the provenance; it deepens trust.

On designing a collection

Amy: A good collection tells a small story. I organize by emotional arc: doubt to clarity, silence to speech, loss to repair. Collections should be readable in one sitting and returnable across years.

On commercial use and rights

Amy: For contemporary quotes still under copyright you must seek permission for commercial redistribution, especially when setting them in products. For educational use there are allowances, but I always consult legal counsel when uncertain.

Final advice for amateur curators

Amy: Start small. Publish a theme-based newsletter once a month. Test different contexts and ask your readers what moved them. Curating is iterative; you refine taste by listening to reactions.

Takeaway: Curating quotes is both craft and ethics. Amy’s process reminds us that a line’s power depends on careful selection, clear attribution, and an understanding of its emotional architecture.

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