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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
"The grass is always greener on the other side." You were prepared to find out.
Write a story about trust. Include a pair of siblings in it.
A couple gets in a fight after one finds out that the other has secretly wasted $50,000 on lottery tickets over the past 15 years.
Write a retelling of a fairy tale — from the perspective of a child.
You thought you were the last person left on Earth. Today you found out that might not be true.
Write about the most epic Easter egg hunt ever.
Set your story on a hayride. Bonus points if a headless horseman makes an appearance.
Write about the best day of your life.
"Have a good night," you say, and breath a huge sigh of relief the moment you walk away.
A comedian bombs every time every time they get up on stage.
Write about a place the sky meets the sea.
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