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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
A man sidles up to a woman in a bar. Little does he know she's an undercover cop following him.
"I'd like to buy a plane ticket to your furthest destination today," you told the airline employee.
You are home alone watching TV. A character dials a number on their phone. Your phone rings.
Write a story about a ghost hunter who doesn't believe in ghosts -- until he gets stuck in a haunted mansion overnight.
Write a story from the perspective of your middle school self.
After the brief pause that follows your mother's angry question of "Who did this?", all of you look at the cat.
One person has been on the waiting list to check out a library book for months. The other person has the long-overdue book. The two coincidentally meet one day at the library.
Re-write Romeo and Juliet as a short story... but make it horror.
Write a story set at a peppermint convention for people obsessed with peppermint.
Write a story based on the last text you received.
Many action movies involve the hero jumping into a vehicle and demanding the driver to "follow that car!" Write from the perspective of the driver.
Write a story that's a retelling of your favorite book, from the perspective of a minor character.
A group of seniors in university have been planning a graduation prank all year. Today's finally the day.
Write a story about understanding differences in cultures through clothing.
Write a story about two characters competing to take the worst ever picture-day portrait.
You're stranded on a treasure island.
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