Thomas Shess is a former editor of San Francisco Magazine and San Diego Magazine, and a reporter for the San Francisco Examiner. He writes fiction where character drives consequence and nobody gets out entirely intact.

Shess is a veteran journalist, editor, and storyteller whose career reads like a love letter to the West Coast’s culture, architecture, and hidden histories. Based in San Diego, Shess has spent decades chronicling the evolution of the American lifestyle, earning a reputation as a “multilectual” observer of everything from high-design bungalows to the gritty allure of noir fiction.

The Journalist & Editor

With a career that began at the legendary San Francisco Examiner, Shess quickly rose through the ranks of the magazine world. He has served as a top editor for both San Francisco Magazine and San Diego Magazine, and later became a definitive voice in the world of architecture and home design as an editor for San Diego Home/Garden Magazine.

His passion for local history led him to found North Park News, a publication dedicated to one of San Diego’s most historic and vibrant neighborhoods. Today, he continues to curate PillarToPost.org, a daily online magazine that serves as a digital salon for world architecture, travel, photography, and “all things espresso.”

The Master of Modern Noir

Beyond the world of non-fiction, Shess is an accomplished author of fiction that blends the sharp edges of classic noir with modern emotional depth.

  • “Tough Love: Modern Noir Romances”: A short story collection that dives into the fragile line between passion and its consequences.
  • “Cantina Psalms”: His first novel, which explores the mystery and desire tucked away in the foggy corners of San Francisco.

An Eye for Design

Shess is widely recognized as an authority on the Arts & Crafts movement. As the founding editor of West Coast Craftsman, he has spent years championing the preservation of bungalow culture and the revival of craftsman aesthetics. His work often highlights the intersection of history and modern living, proving that good design is timeless.

The Renaissance Man

When he isn’t writing about Frank Lloyd Wright or vintage espresso machines, Shess is deeply involved in the San Diego community. He is a fixture in senior men’s baseball circles—having managed teams to national championships—and remains a dedicated alum and contributor to St. Augustine High School.

Whether through a daily blog post, a gritty short story, or a deep dive into urban architecture, Thomas Shess remains one of the West Coast’s most versatile and engaging voices. You can find his latest musings on the “multilectual” life at thomasshess.com and pillartopost.org.