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DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
As you ride your motorcycle off into the sunset, you see something unexpected on the horizon.
A sleepover goes off the rails when a group of friends accidentally summons a being from another dimension.
You are part of a huge team of accountants that manages the karma of people on earth.
A team of scientists have successfully teleported an apple. It reappears with a bite taken out of it.
You start hearing sounds, but when you ask your friend about it, they look at you with a confused expression.
Write a story inspired by a photo on Instagram.
Describe a character and their life using only the apps on their phone.
Doppelgangers exist in this world. You just met yours — and they're not friendly.
You've just made the discovery of secret playground deep in the woods... and only you know of its existence.
Write a story that inverts a popular YA trope. You get to pick the trope.
Your friend is visiting your home for the first time. You go to the kitchen to grab coffee and when you return, your friend tells you they just met your sister. You're an only child and you live alone.
"What? You're Father who? I don't know no Father Christmas, now get off of my lawn!"
Write about the origin of the saying "April showers bring May flowers."
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.
Someone who has lived a thousand years takes up a job teaching high school history.
You were waiting at a crosswalk when someone you didn't recognize started waving from across the street.
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