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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You just got the new dog that you've wanted for such a long time, but you're finding that it's a lot more responsibility than you expected.
A former party animal lives in a retirement home. They've decided it's time for one last bash.
You wake up with no memory of the previous night. On your nightstand, your cell phone is lighting up with texts.
You start what was supposed to just be a business front for a money laundering scheme, but your silly idea is making more money than you ever dreamed.
You thought you were the last person left on Earth. Today you found out that might not be true.
A wand-maker goes to the forest ready to work, only to find a group of environmentalists camped out in front of their favorite hemlock tree.
You are a secret agent. Your mission? To steal the cookie jar back from your older sister.
A plane takes off with 81 passengers. It lands with 82.
Write a story about a meet-cute between competing Christmas tree shops in town.
"Today is the last day," you decide, staring up at the 67-story building that has owned your life for the last 10 years.
A character must confront their fear of commitment if they want to save their failing relationship.
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 find a note in your locker: "Save yourself while you still can."
Write a story about the passage of time based only upon a series of birthday wishes.
You pass by a person sitting with their face to the sun, the most content smile you've ever seen on their face.
Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
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