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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
One character wants a snake, but their roommate has a phobia. They adopt one anyway.
Your mom has just sat you down and told you that you'll have a baby sister.
"Savor this sunset, folks. It might be the last one we ever see."
Write a story that takes place entirely in the dark.
Write a story where your character faces a deep fear.
You discover a strange map that's been stuffed into your locker.
Your family's run out of coal to heat your home in December. To procure coal for your family, you have to figure out how to get onto Santa's naughty list... quickly.
From a dog's perspective, humans seem to be either immortal or at least live extremely long lives. Write from the perspective of a dog contemplating this.
A forgotten object is found in an attic during spring cleaning.
You're the world's best photographer. Your secret? You can freeze time.
Every pirate claims to be the scourge of the seven seas, but none claim the eighth.
You participated in your office's Secret Santa, but no one will admit to buying your gift. Write a story about the search for the mysterious gifter.
An introvert sits down next to an extrovert in the classroom. What happens?
A 50-year-old has started to do the daily Sudoku, scared that she is starting to lose her memory.
You're a bartender at a neighborhood pub. A regular comes in and says, "Do I have a story for you!"
You open a fortune cookie at a Chinese restaurant. Inside is a handwritten note.
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