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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Write a story about a haircut that doesn't go exactly the way that a character wanted it to.
Santa Claus had one too many pork chops during the pre-Christmas feast, and now he's stuck in the chimney — and there are footsteps approaching!
It's Groundhog Day... and the day that keeps looping for you is the day of the most disastrous prom in the history of proms.
You just discovered England's biggest secret: every time they sing "God Save the Queen" it extends the queens life.
Write a dual perspective story, with each alternating perspective based on one of these two words: "bitter" and "sweet."
You are in charge of organizing a lunch for four famous historical figures. Who do you invite? Why?
A ghoul, a ghost, and a mummy walk into a bar. What happens next?
Overheard at the track-and-field: "I! NEVER! WANT! TO! SEE! THAT! DOG! POKING! HIS! HEAD! IN! HERE! AGAIN!"
A character becomes addicted to the slots in Las Vegas.
For a week or so you've noticed a stray animal hanging around your home. One day you let it in.
Write about someone discovering something important from their childhood hidden in the back of a closet.
An elderly married couple toast each other over a pint on St. Patrick's Day.
Write a story centered on the theme of persistence when it comes to exams.
You wake up with no memory of the previous night. On your nightstand, your cell phone is lighting up with texts.
A superhero comes and rescues your class from certain doom. Which superhero just swooped in to save the day? Write a story about how you set out to make friends with them next.
Your mother sits you and your brother down, and says, "Kids, I'm gonna tell you an incredible story the story of how I met your father."
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