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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026

Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

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Every day, you visit the same moment from your past.

Science Fiction

"See you later!" you called, not realizing it wasn't true.

Dramatic

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.

Dark

Write a story with these words: "teddy bear," "black," "blood."

Dark

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

Middle School

You bump into someone while walking to the bus. They feel the bump, but can't seem to see or hear you.

Horror

You are in charge of organizing a lunch for four famous historical figures. Who do you invite? Why?

High School

There is a fountain that truly does grant wishes to those who throw coins in it.

Dramatic

You just discovered that you can teleport into one Hallmark Christmas rom-com of your choosing. Which movie do you choose, and what happens differently in the movie because of your arrival?

Christmas

Write a story that's a retelling of your favorite book, from the perspective of a minor character.

High School

Your academic rival at school has joined the Art Club, so now you must also join the Art Club. Problem is, you're pretty sure that you're colorblind.

High School

It's March 31st, the busiest day of the year at the joke shop you own.

Funny

You are an astronaut spending your last few hours on Earth before a journey into space.

Dramatic

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.

Christmas

You head into the forest with your trusty lantern that's been enchanted to burn forever. You're looking for something.

Fantasy

Someone just knocked on the door late at night, but you weren't expecting anyone. When you open the door... no one's there.

Narrative

539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026

Every day, you visit the same moment from your past.

"See you later!" you called, not realizing it wasn't true.

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 with these words: "teddy bear," "black," "blood."

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

You bump into someone while walking to the bus. They feel the bump, but can't seem to see or hear you.

You are in charge of organizing a lunch for four famous historical figures. Who do you invite? Why?

There is a fountain that truly does grant wishes to those who throw coins in it.

You just discovered that you can teleport into one Hallmark Christmas rom-com of your choosing. Which movie do you choose, and what happens differently in the movie because of your arrival?

Write a story that's a retelling of your favorite book, from the perspective of a minor character.

Your academic rival at school has joined the Art Club, so now you must also join the Art Club. Problem is, you're pretty sure that you're colorblind.

It's March 31st, the busiest day of the year at the joke shop you own.

You are an astronaut spending your last few hours on Earth before a journey into space.

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.

You head into the forest with your trusty lantern that's been enchanted to burn forever. You're looking for something.

Someone just knocked on the door late at night, but you weren't expecting anyone. When you open the door... no one's there.

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