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DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
A group of students hold a high-stakes competition to see who can carve the best jack-o-lantern. The class clown is appointed the judge.
Emotional baggage must now be checked in at the airport.
You find a blank book. Whatever you write in it becomes true.
You went to sleep in a bed, but you woke up on the cold dark floor the forest.
A tree falls in the woods. You're around to hear it.
Write an unrequited loved story using situational irony.
Write a story about a character learning a new sport.
You are the only person who has to go into work on a public holiday.
Describe yourself to a stranger.
The objects in the Chemistry classroom come to life when students and teachers are not around.
Write a story set at a peppermint convention for people obsessed with peppermint.
Two friends are meeting at a high school reunion. They have not seen each other in ten years.
You find a treasure map.
Pick one of your Instagram photos. Write about the story behind it.
Write about the last nightmare you had.
A door in the locker room leads to a magical fantasy world.
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