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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 acceptance that involves a new exchange student.
You caught the girl in classroom 3B stealing your favorite eraser, which means war.
You're outside in the park playing Pokemon Go when… wait… is that Pikachu… getting into a fight with your dog…?
Write about your favorite hobby.
A young child discovers a passion for baking. Write about the crazy kitchen adventures that they embark upon with their allergic-to-gluten family, one that culminates in a national baking competition.
You went to sleep in a bed, but you woke up on the cold dark floor the forest.
Doctor Seuss has grown weary of writing children's books and finds new work as a reporter covering violent crime for a newspaper. Despite his new line of work, he keeps his classic Seussian style.
"Say cheese!" You push the camera button, hear the click, and... that's when all hell broke loose.
You start what was supposed to just be a business front for a money laundering scheme, but your silly idea is making more money than you ever dreamed.
Write a story about a character's first day at an after-school job in a retail store.
The last person on earth celebrates their own birthday.
You are a space kitty, traveling from planet to planet. You write a letter home and this is what it says.
Write a story that's a retelling of your favorite book, from the perspective of a minor character.
Write a story that includes these three words: "clown," "purple," and "apple."
Rewrite a famous romantic scene from the perspective of a bystander who has no idea what is going on.
Put yourself in your teacher's shoes for a moment, and write a story about a day at school from their perspective.
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