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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026

Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

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You're kneeling in the dirt, working on your garden when your attention is drawn up by a person saying, "Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but..."

Dramatic

A reindeer is loose! What can you, a mere elf on the lowest rung of Santa's helpers, do?

Christmas

Write a story about a character who's just moved into town.

Middle School

Write a story about a character learning a new sport.

Middle School

Write about what you want to be in the future, whether that's in terms of personality, goals, or career.

Narrative

Write a story about a series of unfortunate events that takes place over the span of a field trip.

Middle School

Only one swordsman emerges alive from a bloody battle. And without a single wound. How does he explain his survival?

Dark

The old bus driver who drives you to work every day always tells you rambling stories about his friends, who all seem to have passed away. Eventually, you begin to suspect he is immortal.

Funny

Two people share an oddly bittersweet moment as they stop to watch a beautiful sunset... at noon.

Fantasy

Write a story about a character picking a lunch table on their first day at a new school.

Middle School

You caught the girl in classroom 3B stealing your favorite eraser, which means war.

Conflict

A former party animal lives in a retirement home. They've decided it's time for one last bash.

Funny

If a fire broke out in your home, what are the first three things that you would grab? Why?

Narrative

539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026

Write a story about understanding differences in cultures through clothing.

Write a story that inverts the trope of the Chosen One.

A door in the locker room leads to a magical fantasy world.

You're kneeling in the dirt, working on your garden when your attention is drawn up by a person saying, "Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but..."

A reindeer is loose! What can you, a mere elf on the lowest rung of Santa's helpers, do?

Write a story about a character who's just moved into town.

Write a story about a character learning a new sport.

Write about what you want to be in the future, whether that's in terms of personality, goals, or career.

Write a story about a series of unfortunate events that takes place over the span of a field trip.

Only one swordsman emerges alive from a bloody battle. And without a single wound. How does he explain his survival?

The old bus driver who drives you to work every day always tells you rambling stories about his friends, who all seem to have passed away. Eventually, you begin to suspect he is immortal.

Two people share an oddly bittersweet moment as they stop to watch a beautiful sunset... at noon.

Write a story about a character picking a lunch table on their first day at a new school.

You caught the girl in classroom 3B stealing your favorite eraser, which means war.

A former party animal lives in a retirement home. They've decided it's time for one last bash.

If a fire broke out in your home, what are the first three things that you would grab? Why?

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