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DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
A magician, a troll, and a college student walk into a bar.
For a week or so you've noticed a stray animal hanging around your home. One day you let it in.
Write a love poem inspired by a recently received text message.
You've just made the discovery of secret playground deep in the woods... and only you know of its existence.
Write about a time you failed.
Write a story that ends with a shocking plot twist.
Describe your weekend using only dialogue to write the story.
Write a story that ends by jumping forward several years.
Write about someone discovering something important from their childhood hidden in the back of a closet.
A person wakes up in bed, drenched in salty ocean water.
You have to let go of something you treasure.
Emotional baggage must now be checked in at the airport.
You are in charge of organizing a lunch for four famous historical figures. Who do you invite? Why?
Write about a power hungry wizard summoning an eldritch creature from a blood-stained spellbook.
A child walks into the forest and learns about all of the animals that live in there.
A love story that starts and ends in 24 hours.
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