Menu
Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.
Win up to $250 in our weekly writing contest
Submit your short story on Reedsy Prompts.
DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You are in charge of organizing a lunch for four famous historical figures. Who do you invite? Why?
Write about a time that you were challenged in a belief that you had.
Pick a genre and then write about a long walk home after school.
You signed up for what you thought was a sweepstakes to win the latest Apple iPhone model, only to discover to your horror when you get to the fall festival that it's actually a competition to see who can eat the most apples in 30 minutes.
Five competitive students are invited to board game night. Only one can win.
Every week, you post an ad in the newspaper asking for a time traveller to contact you. One day you get a response, dated year 2200.
You're beginning to believe the person writing the daily crossword puzzle in your newspaper is trying to send you an encoded message.
You're on a sleepover with your best friend, when your best friend starts to act strangely.
You went to sleep in a bed, but you woke up on the cold dark floor the forest.
You're a food critic eating the best meal of your life. You're at McDonalds.
You got on the wrong bus and ended up in a remote town where things seemed a little odd.
A child was stolen, and a straw doll left in their place.
It's your birthday! Write a story about the ideal birthday that you'd spend with your family, your friends, or yourself.
You come across a cheaply printed book of magic tricks. You try one out and discover the book is truly magic, and teaches you how to break fundamental laws of physics.
You know how when you see a bear, you should stay calm and make loud noises? For this… creature… you have to do the opposite. You have to run.
You start hearing sounds, but when you ask your friend about it, they look at you with a confused expression.
Find the perfect editor for your next book
Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.
Save your shortlist
Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!
By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.
Check your email
We've sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Short Story Ideas Directory 🙌
