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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Only one swordsman emerges alive from a bloody battle. And without a single wound. How does he explain his survival?
Write a story that begin and ends around an awkward Christmas dinner table.
You are a secret agent. Your mission? To steal the cookie jar back from your older sister.
An office worker's favorite coffee mug has gone missing, and the obsessive search for the mug throughout the workplace turns into a dire and ridiculous odyssey.
Write a story about friendship that uses holiday traditions from different cultures.
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.
An entrepreneur is suffering self-doubt from a string of failures, and this is their last chance.
Write a story about understanding differences in cultures through clothing.
You find a treasure map.
"I love you," you said. Before you could hear a response, your phone died.
Write about a time that you encountered an obstacle, and how you overcame it.
Write a story that's set at a ski resort during Christmas.
You're outside in the park playing Pokemon Go when… wait… is that Pikachu… getting into a fight with your dog…?
Write a story about a group of friends who volunteer at a soup kitchen on the weekends.
"Have a good night," you say, and breath a huge sigh of relief the moment you walk away.
You wake up with no memory of the previous night. On your nightstand, your cell phone is lighting up with texts.
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