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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
The objects in the Chemistry classroom come to life when students and teachers are not around.
Write about a time you failed.
In a quiet little coffee shop in a quiet little town, famous people from history stop by every so often for a drink.
You find a note in your locker: "Save yourself while you still can."
The old bus driver who drives you to work every day always tells you rambling stories about his friends, who all seem to have passed away. Eventually, you begin to suspect he is immortal.
A wand-maker goes to the forest ready to work, only to find a group of environmentalists camped out in front of their favorite hemlock tree.
It's the beginning of a new term at your university. As usual, you scramble to your first class and get there just in time. No one is there but you and the professor.
You wake up unable to say a word, but can all of a sudden write the most amazing music.
A magician, a troll, and a college student walk into a bar.
You're going through family photos when you start to notice the same person candidly in the background of every single location.
A romance told through a series of texts.
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.
It's your birthday! Write a story about the ideal birthday that you'd spend with your family, your friends, or yourself.
Write about a time that you were lost (metaphorically or literally).
You're in an airport, watching people say goodbye before heading through security.
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.
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