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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You discover a secret family member you never knew existed.
Write a story about a family's Christmas tradition that has to change this year, for one reason or another.
A pair of best friends realize they're two corners of a love triangle — they both have feelings for the same person.
"I didn't believe in Christmas until now." What might have happened to cause this character to say this?
You work at an airport and notice the same person waiting in "arrivals" every week. Each time, they leave alone. One day you muster the courage to ask who they are waiting for.
You find your grandparent's old chessboard in the attic. Absentmindedly, you move a piece. The next day, an opposing piece has been moved.
What are you talking about, dude? I'm right here? Can't you see me?
Shaking, you take a step back from the sight in front of you. You'd never seen so much blood in your life.
Time travel is real and time tourists show up in large numbers around major historical events. One day, thousands of time tourists are in ships above the earth, quietly waiting.
Write about the origin of April Fools' Day.
Rewrite a famous romantic scene from the perspective of a bystander who has no idea what is going on.
A character on their deathbed tells their family about their regrets.
Adapt your favorite fairy tale to take place in your home town.
You are in a bar when an elderly woman takes the stool next to you and says to the bartender, "Hey, Francine, make it a double. It happened again." You can't resist and ask her, "What happened again?"
You were sitting on a park bench, enjoying the sun, when a stranger sat next to you and started typing on an old fashioned typewriter.
You just got the new dog that you've wanted for such a long time, but you're finding that it's a lot more responsibility than you expected.
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