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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Where do you see the future of technology heading? Write an essay explaining why.
You are traveling when you are informed by an airport official that your passport isn't valid, and the country you claim to be from doesn't exist.
You enter a room where someone is having a phone call. They don't see you and you overhear a big secret that you clearly weren't meant to.
One person's trash is another's treasure.
As you ride your motorcycle off into the sunset, you see something unexpected on the horizon.
Write a story based on the last text you received.
An evil king has seized control of the land. The world's only hope? An even eviller witch who has the powers to stop him.
Fairy godmothers exist, and yours just introduced herself to you on your 15th birthday.
Someone has been stealing from other kids' pools of candy on Halloween. This means war.
"When I regained consciousness, I was invisible. And I don't know how to fix it!"
Write a story about a character who's just moved into town.
You are going home for Christmas for the first time in twenty-five years.
Put yourself in your teacher's shoes for a moment, and write a story about a day at school from their perspective.
Write about a character who is confused about what a White Elephant gift exchange is, and ends up going on a search for an actual white elephant.
You're stranded on a treasure island.
An advertising firm lands a huge contract to make Easter the yearÍs most popular holiday.
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