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.
After searching for your lost cat for months, it saunters into your house one day. It looks rather plump.
You canÍt believe what you just read on the scroll. You have to tell someone.
You are granted one wish. But you have to use the wish for someone else.
Pick one of your Instagram photos. Write about the story behind it.
Set your story at a sunny day in the park.
Write a story about a family's Christmas tradition that has to change this year, for one reason or another.
Write a story about a character who moves from a small town to a big city for the first time.
Set your story at a busy airport during Christmas week.
Describe your weekend using only dialogue to write the story.
You have to let go of something you treasure.
You were reading a book quietly at a cafe when someone passed you a note.
You've been turned into a ghost! Now the fun part begins. Who do you pick to haunt, and why?
Turn one of your grandparent's old stories into fiction.
Write a story about a character who can only tell lies.
While on a leisurely stroll through the forest, you find strange footprints. Do you follow them?
The Earth does not rotate. One side always faces the sun and is in continual daylight. The other side is in eternal night. Cultures on both sides develop around this.
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 🙌
