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.
Write a descriptive story about a household using only one of the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, or taste.
You eavesdrop on a hushed conversation taking place in the hallway. What's being said is not nice about someone you know.
Write a retelling of a fairy tale — from the perspective of a child.
You know how when you see a bear, you should stay calm and make loud noises? For this… creature… you have to do the opposite. You have to run.
Write a story with an open ending.
An anxious and unsure person becomes extremely decisive.
Set your story at a sunny day in the park.
There's an urban legend about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you step into this cab.
You are a secret agent. Your mission? To steal the cookie jar back from your older sister.
Write about the most epic Easter egg hunt ever.
Write a story about moving to an entirely new city where everything is new and unfamiliar.
Write about the best day of your life.
Write about what you want to be in the future, whether that's in terms of personality, goals, or career.
You hear music emanating from aisle 3 of your local grocery store. No one else hears it.
Write a story that takes place over the span of the longest Monopoly game ever.
Write a story about a character who doesn't know how to share.
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 🙌
