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DIRECTORY
539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You stumble across an abandoned house in the woods.
Write a story about a group of five friends who set out at night for trick or treating… and when they return, they're only four.
The world's most important chess game is about to start.
Write a story about a young character who wants to learn magic.
You were put in charge of getting your great-grandmother a gift this year by your family — but she's old enough that she's already seen, heard, and experienced everything under the sun. What do you get her?
Write a story about friendship that uses holiday traditions from different cultures.
It was the most epic senior prank your high school had ever seen.
You're stranded on a treasure island.
Write a story inspired by a photo on Instagram.
A trusting person turns into a skeptic.
A superhero comes and rescues your class from certain doom. Which superhero just swooped in to save the day? Write a story about how you set out to make friends with them next.
Someone has been stealing from other kids' pools of candy on Halloween. This means war.
Write a story that takes place over the course of a house party.
Two strangers have an interesting encounter on a park bench during a snowy, winter evening.
Every day, you visit the same moment from your past.
Your new cell phone number used to be the number of a very popular personal therapist.
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