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539 Best Short Story Ideas for Authors in 2026
Showing 539 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
A group of seniors in university have been planning a graduation prank all year. Today's finally the day.
Write a story about a young couple getting into their first argument over what costume their pet should wear on Halloween.
A door in the locker room leads to a magical fantasy world.
You're a janitor at a large school. People wouldn't believe the things you've heard.
This was the moment you'd been waiting for. Gleefully, you raised your camera to take a picture and then... the battery died.
Your parents named you Holly after your grandmother, and you just accepted an invite for a group called The Jolly Hollies thinking that it was a club for people with your name. Turns out that it's actually an annual caroling group, and you can't sing.
You went to sleep in a bed, but you woke up on the cold dark floor the forest.
Write a story that's entirely set in the cafeteria.
Write a story about a haircut that doesn't go exactly the way that a character wanted it to.
Write about a time you broke a promise. What did it feel like? Why did you break it?
Everyday you are delivered a newspaper at your front door that accurately predicts what will happen in the next 24 hours.
You're in charge of creating the new school lunch menu. What kind of menu would you make?
Set your story at the playground!
You find your grandparent's old chessboard in the attic. Absentmindedly, you move a piece. The next day, an opposing piece has been moved.
While on a leisurely stroll through the forest, you find strange footprints. Do you follow them?
You are the only person who has to go into work on a public holiday.
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