Menu
Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.
Win up to $250 in our weekly writing contest
Submit your short story on Reedsy Prompts.
DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Describe yourself to a stranger.
Ten years later, you see the person who bullied you in middle school in the middle of 7-11.
Write a story about an elementary school student who has to overcome their fear of public speaking in order to win a speech contest.
Set your story at the playground!
Write a story about a young girl with a passion for science who invents a time machine and travels to the future, where she must save the world from an imminent catastrophe that only she knows about.
It's March 31st, the busiest day of the year at the joke shop you own.
August 30, 1946: The date of the one and only time travel convention. You attend every year.
Set your story at a busy airport during Christmas week.
Write a story that retells a Shakespeare play, but in a modern-day high school setting.
You're the principal for the day! Write a story about what you would do with these newfound responsibilities.
Write a story about a ghost hunter who doesn't believe in ghosts -- until he gets stuck in a haunted mansion overnight.
You're digging in your garden when you unearth something that makes you stagger from shock.
You thought you were the last person left on Earth. Today you found out that might not be true.
Write a story from the perspective of a snowman who has just come to life. Plot twist: he's missing eyes.
Overheard in Chemistry class: "Well, that wasn't supposed to happen."
Write about a time that you broke the rules.
Find the perfect editor for your next book
Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.
Save your shortlist
Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!
By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.
Check your email
We've sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Short Story Ideas Directory 🙌
