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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
A character has to choose between family and their desire for the truth.
The world's most important chess game is about to start.
Write a story that retells a Shakespeare play, but in a modern-day high school setting.
Write a story about a family adopting a black cat, just in time for Halloween.
Write a story about someone trying to hide a pet from their parents.
Write a story about your dream vacation.
Write a story about living a lie. You get to choose the lie.
Write a story about a character who sees the ocean for the first time.
Write a story that takes place over the course of a house party.
You are home alone watching TV. A character dials a number on their phone. Your phone rings.
Write a story about a character picking a lunch table on their first day at a new school.
Amazon has invented time travel and introduced pre-emptive shipping. Today, you receive something completely unexpected from your future self.
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?
Your mom has just sat you down and told you that you'll have a baby sister.
Write a story about friendship that uses holiday traditions from different cultures.
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