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Are you ready to write but don’t know what to write about? Prepare to kick your writing into gear by browsing through our list of 200+ short story ideas. New prompts are added each week, and you can search by genre. But don’t let our categories stop you from putting your own spin on a writing prompt: if you find a short story idea tagged as sci-fi, but you think it would make a great romance plot, run with it! For tips on how to come up with your own story ideas, scroll to the bottom of the page.

539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026

Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

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You wake up to the sound of a voice. Nervous, you look around the room until your eyes land on your pet. You swear you just heard it sleep-talking.

Funny

You are the Grinch who hates Halloween, and your mission this year is to replace every single Ferroro Rocher with brussel sprouts.

Halloween

Write a story about a character who sees the ocean for the first time.

Middle School

Write a story with an open ending.

Funny

You're in charge of creating the new school lunch menu. What kind of menu would you make?

Kids

"When I regained consciousness, I was invisible. And I don't know how to fix it!"

Kids

Write a story that starts with the pick-up line, "I must be a snowflake because I’ve fallen for you."

Christmas

Write a story about a young couple getting into their first argument over what costume their pet should wear on Halloween.

Halloween

Write a story about a character learning a new sport.

Middle School

There's an urban legend about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you step into this cab.

Dramatic

539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026

You wake up to the sound of a voice. Nervous, you look around the room until your eyes land on your pet. You swear you just heard it sleep-talking.

You are the Grinch who hates Halloween, and your mission this year is to replace every single Ferroro Rocher with brussel sprouts.

Write a story about a character who sees the ocean for the first time.

Write a story with an open ending.

You're in charge of creating the new school lunch menu. What kind of menu would you make?

"When I regained consciousness, I was invisible. And I don't know how to fix it!"

You canÍt believe what you just read on the scroll. You have to tell someone.

Write a story about two best friends at their first school dance.

Write a story centered on the theme of persistence when it comes to exams.

Write a story that ends with a Happily Ever After.

A habitually fearful person turns brave.

You find a blank book. Whatever you write in it becomes true.

Write a story that starts with the pick-up line, "I must be a snowflake because I’ve fallen for you."

Write a story about a young couple getting into their first argument over what costume their pet should wear on Halloween.

Write a story about a character learning a new sport.

There's an urban legend about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you step into this cab.

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