What’s Shelter?
A weekly newsletter about the spaces we create—at home, on the road & online.
A meditation on how to live bravely in an unraveling world.
What a handwritten note is to junk mail: a delight to open.
Shelter is read by editors and writers who contribute to Apartment Therapy, Bon Appétit, BuzzFeed, Domino, Complex, Curbed, The Cut, Gear Patrol, GQ, The New York Times, TIME, Vox, and more.
About Seth
Seth Putnam is a Chicago-based editor and journalist. He co-founded The Collective Quarterly, a print magazine that embedded storytellers in communities around North America and chronicled their struggles and triumphs. The magazine’s deeper approach to travel journalism drew praise from Monocle, Nieman Storyboard, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Vogue, and others.
Seth’s career began at the Missouri School of Journalism. After graduating, he got his start as a hard-news reporter at the Commercial Dispatch in Columbus, Mississippi, where he wrote crime, fire, education, and human-interest features. From there, he covered Missouri state politics for the Kansas City Star before moving to Chicago to write for national media that ranged from BuzzFeed to Outside magazine.
What people are saying about Shelter
"We are fans of writer Seth Putnam. ... I really appreciate this format (which he didn't invent but is very good at) where he pulls out the best line from each story. That's what I want; it's useful, because if you decide not to click the link, you're still getting something out of it." — Claire & Erica, of the A Thing or Two podcast
"I love this newsletter. Sure, it's an email, but more than that, it’s a great conversationalist. It asks questions, shares anecdotes and makes me think. Of all the things in my inbox, Shelter is the one email I'm most happy to open and read. Thanks, Seth!" — Kelsey K.
"I'm an avid reader for your newsletter. I love your perspective, I love the articles, I love that you've helped me realize that great architecture can make me feel physical joy." — Lauren H.
"Love, love, love this latest issue. There’s a level of rawness and 'what ifs' that were very vulnerable. It felt like I was sitting in a chair across from you drinking coffee in the quiet morning." — Jeff K.
"I am quite FIERCE about which newsletters I subscribe to and I have to say ~ yours is so good and worth reading!!!! Thank you for brightening my inbox." — Michael G.
"Your intentionality and creativity are really admirable. I don’t think I have ever understood the art form of journalism and respected the skill in curating content, but you are masterful at it!!!" — Joanna K.
"Seth is a brilliant writer with good humor." — Hannah T.
Where else to follow Seth
BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | seth-putnam.com
