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DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Re-write Romeo and Juliet as a short story... but make it horror.
A legendary dragon is on its way to capture a princess. Plot twist: the princess kidnaps it, and temporarily locks it away in her tower to teach it a lesson.
Write a story about the day you are magically teleported into your favorite board game.
Write a story about a character who must confront their past.
An elderly married couple toast each other over a pint on St. Patrick's Day.
Write about a time that you found out something surprising about yourself.
You're stranded on a treasure island.
There is a fountain that truly does grant wishes to those who throw coins in it.
Write a story that takes place entirely in the dark.
Write a story that's set at a ski resort during Christmas.
It's March 31st, the busiest day of the year at the joke shop you own.
You're in charge of creating the new school lunch menu. What kind of menu would you make?
An advertising firm lands a huge contract to make Easter the yearÍs most popular holiday.
Write a story about a character who can only tell the truth.
You're the world's best photographer. Your secret? You can freeze time.
Something unusual is found in a winter coat pocket.
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