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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
An entrepreneur is suffering self-doubt from a string of failures, and this is their last chance.
You live in a future where music in any form is considered repugnant. You find an old music box.
"Say cheese!" You push the camera button, hear the click, and... that's when all hell broke loose.
Write a story where your character is at odds with a family tradition.
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.
It's the first day of summer camp, and one of this year's new campers is the child of a major celebrity. Write a story about the first week from the head camp counselor's perspective.
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.
A writer becomes trapped inside their own book.
The voice in your head is your only friend. The AI implant is your only ally. And she's just started to become sentient...
There is a fountain that truly does grant wishes to those who throw coins in it.
Write a children's book that's set entirely in space.
Write about a time that you found out something surprising about somebody else.
Write a story inspired by a photo on Instagram.
Some fishy things have been going on at school. Write about a group of friends who establish their own detective agency to get down to the bottom of it, once and for all.
You wish upon what looks like a star but is actually a satellite. Your wish has been recorded, catalogued, and an agent is now assigned the task of granting your wish.
Write a story about two characters competing to take the worst ever picture-day portrait.
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