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 story where your character finds out a rumor is circulating about them.
You discover a strange map that's been stuffed into your locker.
A 50-year-old has started to do the daily Sudoku, scared that she is starting to lose her memory.
You caught the girl in classroom 3B stealing your favorite eraser, which means war.
You're a busker in Central Park on a spring day.
A tree falls in the woods. You're around to hear it.
Write a story about a young girl with a passion for science who invents a time machine and travels to the future, where she must save the world from an imminent catastrophe that only she knows about.
You are a curmudgeonly old man whose name is Writer S. Block. You just spotted your next victim.
Write a story about a terrible, unfixable hair cut.
You woke up and all seemed normal. Little did you know that before you'd even had a chance to get out of bed, you would become the subject of a prank.
Someone who has lived a thousand years takes up a job teaching high school history.
Describe a character and their life using only the apps on their phone.
You are put in charge of a mission to Mars on NASA's most advanced space shuttle yet. Organize your team.
Write a story about a high-stakes decoration competition between neighbors vyying for the title of Most Festive Home in their city (and the local newspaper feature that comes with it).
You're donating blood as normal in October when you notice that the nurse taking care of you is... strangely... pale? And seems to have oddly-shaped teeth... that almost look like fangs...?
Write about a law in your country that you would change.
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 🙌
