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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Write a story about a character learning a new sport.
A group of high school students go on an educational field trip to a graveyard to learn about the history of the area. But when a storm starts up and they get trapped, they have to figure out how to survive the night.
It's Christmas, and you somehow need to manuever your parents into buying you the gift that you want.
You are a secret agent. Your mission? To steal the cookie jar back from your older sister.
The biggest tsunami in a decade is here. You're told to leave the city immediately, and you're on your way out when you see a dog struggling to stay afloat in the distance.
Describe your greatest fear, and how you have or have not overcome it yet.
Doctor Seuss has grown weary of writing children's books and finds new work as a reporter covering violent crime for a newspaper. Despite his new line of work, he keeps his classic Seussian style.
You are a Nobel Prize Winner, on your way to the awards ceremony. Suddenly, you are transported back in time.
Write a story about a terrible, unfixable hair cut.
Write a story that takes place entirely in the dark.
Write a story about the day you are magically teleported into your favorite board game.
Your academic rival at school has joined the Art Club, so now you must also join the Art Club. Problem is, you're pretty sure that you're colorblind.
You open a door, but before you can go through, someone sneaks in front of you without saying "thank you." You've had an awful day and this is the last straw.
You are in a bar when an elderly woman takes the stool next to you and says to the bartender, "Hey, Francine, make it a double. It happened again." You can't resist and ask her, "What happened again?"
An elderly married couple toast each other over a pint on St. Patrick's Day.
Write about the origin of the saying "April showers bring May flowers."
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