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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You are part of a huge team of accountants that manages the karma of people on earth.
You are on a solo camping trip in the woods. After a deep night's sleep, you awake to the voice of someone saying, "Rise and shine!"
You've done the unthinkable in the 21st century: found undiscovered land.
You meet someone who's different from you. Write a story about how you become friends.
Write about a time that you found out something surprising about somebody else.
A trusting person turns into a skeptic.
You're one of Santa Claus's elves, and wishes on childrens' wishlists from around the world this Christmas have gone through the roof. Literally. Now you need to somehow find a repairman to fix Santa's roof before Santa finds out.
A group of seniors in university have been planning a graduation prank all year. Today's finally the day.
You've been turned into a ghost! Now the fun part begins. Who do you pick to haunt, and why?
Shaking, you take a step back from the sight in front of you. You'd never seen so much blood in your life.
Write about the origin of the saying "April showers bring May flowers."
Write a story that ends by jumping forward several years.
While transferring between international flights at an airport, you befriend a strange person while passing through security.
Write a story about Christmas from the perspective of someone who hates Christmas.
By the time this party is finished, three people's lives will be changed forever.
It's your first day in a new city where you don't speak the language.
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