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.
Your friend is visiting your home for the first time. You go to the kitchen to grab coffee and when you return, your friend tells you they just met your sister. You're an only child and you live alone.
Write about your favorite hobby.
Write a story that retells a Shakespeare play, but in a modern-day high school setting.
It's show and tell day! Write a story about what you most want to bring to show to your class.
Set your story at a sunny day in the park.
You're going through family photos when you start to notice the same person candidly in the background of every single location.
While spring cleaning, you come across something you had forgotten all about.
Write a story in which a Christmas song plays an important role in the plot.
One person's trash is another's treasure.
You just found a key in your pocket that wasn't there when you last checked.
Put yourself in your teacher's shoes for a moment, and write a story about a day at school from their perspective.
It's dodgeball day in P.E., and in a desperate attempt not to be picked last again for the teams, you...
Write a story about a pair of siblings who open up a lemonade stand during summer vacation, and the rivalry that flares up when their neighbors decide to start a Kool-Aid stand at the same time.
Write a story with the worlds: "calculation," "corn," and "mayor."
Write a story about a group of five friends who set out at night for trick or treating… and when they return, they're only four.
You're outside in the park playing Pokemon Go when… wait… is that Pikachu… getting into a fight with your dog…?
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 🙌
