Menu
Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.
Win up to $250 in our weekly writing contest
Submit your short story on Reedsy Prompts.
DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Write a story about the friendship between an introvert and an extrovert
Set your story at a graveyard overnight.
"I'd like to buy a plane ticket to your furthest destination today," you told the airline employee.
Write a story about the gifts that two people buy for each other over a period of ten years, and how that shows the change in their relationship over time.
From a dog's perspective, humans seem to be either immortal or at least live extremely long lives. Write from the perspective of a dog contemplating this.
You just got the new dog that you've wanted for such a long time, but you're finding that it's a lot more responsibility than you expected.
A young boy working up the courage to ask his long-time crush to dance with him at the school dance.
Write a story using the Halloween colors somewhere in the piece: orange, black, purple, and green.
Write about a time you broke a promise. What did it feel like? Why did you break it?
You're moments late to everything. You watch busses pull away as you run behind them, you miss the first 5 minutes of every movie, and you have never caught a green light. One day, you arrive on time.
Your mom has just sat you down and told you that you'll have a baby sister.
Describe a change that you think you've gone through.
When people die, they are transported to the event that ultimately caused their death. One day, you are hit by a car and sent 12 years into the past.
You wake up trapped in a strange castle with no memory of how you got there and there's something lurking in the shadows as you explore the halls.
Write a story that evokes the feeling of nails on a chalkboard!
You get lost in the woods during a hike. It's starting to get dark, when you see the glow of a campfire nearby.
Find the perfect editor for your next book
Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.
Save your shortlist
Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!
By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.
Check your email
We've sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Short Story Ideas Directory 🙌
