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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
After the crash, he vanished. Some say he moved to a compound in Africa, some say he went off the grid. But the Silicon Valley genius who engineered the greatest stockmarket disaster in history is hiding in plain sight
For years, four characters have met for a monthly card game. Write a story in which one character realizes that another is cheating.
Write a love poem inspired by a recently received text message.
You are a curmudgeonly old man whose name is Writer S. Block. You just spotted your next victim.
Write a story about coming out. The ending is a happy one.
Write a children's book about a young child who gets transported into a magical world inside of a snow globe.
You got on the wrong bus and ended up in a remote town where things seemed a little odd.
It's the year 5000 and humanity's first expansions into space, colonization of the solar system, etc., have faded into myths, much like the journeys of Odysseus. Write about these fabled legends.
You find a note in your locker that is not intended for you, but the person with the next locker over. What does the note say? What do you do with it?
Write about a time you were given responsibility.
Write a story about acceptance that involves a new exchange student.
You're spending the night in an old Victorian home-turned-hotel. You're just about to go into your room, when you hear a harp playing from inside it.
Write about a difficult decision you had to make, and how you ended up making it.
Something unusual is found in a winter coat pocket.
Write a short story inspired by your favorite song.
Write a story that begin and ends around an awkward Christmas dinner table.
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