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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
While spring cleaning, you come across something you had forgotten all about.
The pumpkin flickered while you carved it… but there was no candle in it.
Write a story about the passage of time based only upon a series of birthday wishes.
Amazon has invented time travel and introduced pre-emptive shipping. Today, you receive something completely unexpected from your future self.
A pair of twins swap places for a day. What do they find out about each other?
Write a story about a test that your character has to overcome. The test can be metaphorical or figurative.
Pick a color and write a story based on the feelings that that color evokes for you.
The biggest tsunami in a decade is here. You're told to leave the city immediately, and you're on your way out when you see a dog struggling to stay afloat in the distance.
Write a story about the local PETA branch starting a campaign supporting black cats on Halloween day.
A magician, a troll, and a college student walk into a bar.
Write a story set at a peppermint convention for people obsessed with peppermint.
"Pick a card, any card. But take care — which card you pull out will determine your fate."
It's the beginning of a new term at your university. As usual, you scramble to your first class and get there just in time. No one is there but you and the professor.
You were staring out the bus window idly when someone sat down and said, "What a DAY!"
After searching for your lost cat for months, it saunters into your house one day. It looks rather plump.
Write a story about a young couple getting into their first argument over what costume their pet should wear on Halloween.
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