50 Urban Fantasy Writing Prompts to Bring Magic into the Modern World

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What if magic wasn’t just a thing of fairy tales and ancient legends? What if it existed right here, hidden in the shadows of our cities, woven into everyday life?

That’s the heart of urban fantasy—a world where supernatural beings walk among us, secret magical societies operate in the background, and an ordinary person might stumble into something extraordinary.

In this post, you’ll find 50 urban fantasy writing prompts to help you craft stories where magic meets modern life.

Whether you’re writing about a detective who solves crimes with the help of ghosts, a barista who brews potions instead of coffee, or a hidden city beneath the streets, these prompts will spark your imagination.

So, grab your notebook and get ready to bring a little magic into the real world!

Table Of Contents

Urban Fantasy Writing Prompts

Urban Fantasy Writing Prompts

1. The Midnight Subway Line

Magical Concept: A hidden subway line only appears at midnight, transporting passengers to destinations that no longer exist.
Conflict or Mystery: Passengers begin disappearing after riding the train, and a young historian sets out to uncover its secrets.
Writing Tip: Explore how the past influences the present through the forgotten places the subway reveals.

2. The Spirit Detective

Magical Concept: A detective with the ability to see spirits must solve crimes involving supernatural elements.
Conflict or Mystery: The victim’s ghost refuses to speak, leaving cryptic clues behind.
Writing Tip: Show how the detective balances their magical abilities with mundane police work.

3. The Enchanted Smartphone

Magical Concept: An old smartphone found in a thrift store grants wishes but drains the user’s life force with each one.
Conflict or Mystery: A broke college student uses it to improve their life, unaware of the cost until it’s too late.
Writing Tip: Use technology as a conduit for magic, blending modern convenience with ancient power.

4. The Hidden Market

Magical Concept: A bustling underground market where magical artifacts are bought and sold exists beneath a city park.
Conflict or Mystery: A rare artifact stolen from the market threatens to unleash chaos on the city.
Writing Tip: Develop the rules of the market—what can be traded, who enforces the laws, and what happens if someone breaks them?

5. The Ghostly Landlord

Magical Concept: A recently deceased landlord haunts an apartment building, protecting tenants from supernatural threats.
Conflict or Mystery: The landlord discovers someone is trying to evict all the residents to uncover a buried treasure.
Writing Tip: Focus on the relationship between the ghost and the living tenants, showing mutual respect and trust.

6. The Werewolf Barista

Magical Concept: A barista secretly transforms into a werewolf during full moons, serving coffee by day and patrolling the streets by night.
Conflict or Mystery: A customer starts asking suspicious questions about the barista’s whereabouts during certain nights.
Writing Tip: Blend humor and tension as the protagonist juggles their double life.

7. The Vampire Blogger

Magical Concept: A vampire runs a popular blog exposing supernatural secrets while hiding their own identity.
Conflict or Mystery: Someone hacks into the blog, threatening to reveal the blogger’s true nature.
Writing Tip: Highlight the irony of a centuries-old vampire adapting to modern social media trends.

8. The Haunted Elevator

Magical Concept: An office building elevator randomly takes riders to floors that don’t exist, revealing alternate realities.
Conflict or Mystery: Employees start disappearing after using the elevator, forcing others to investigate.
Writing Tip: Create tension through claustrophobia and uncertainty as characters navigate unexpected worlds.

9. The Magical Junkyard

Magical Concept: A junkyard contains discarded magical items, some still dangerous despite being broken.
Conflict or Mystery: A scavenger accidentally activates a cursed object, setting off a chain reaction of events.
Writing Tip: Show how even broken magic holds potential for both harm and healing.

10. The Forgotten Library

Magical Concept: A library tucked away in an alley houses books that grant knowledge—but also steal memories.
Conflict or Mystery: A librarian notices patrons losing chunks of their lives after checking out certain volumes.
Writing Tip: Balance the allure of forbidden knowledge with its devastating consequences.

11. The Shapeshifter Bartender

Magical Concept: A bartender changes forms depending on the mood of the crowd, serving drinks laced with subtle enchantments.
Conflict or Mystery: One night, they serve a drink that causes everyone in the bar to forget who they are.
Writing Tip: Develop the bartender’s unique personality and explore how they use their powers responsibly.

12. The Phantom Bus Route

Magical Concept: A bus route appears once a month, picking up passengers bound for a mysterious destination.
Conflict or Mystery: Those who return claim they’ve been somewhere beautiful yet terrifying, but details fade quickly.
Writing Tip: Leave the destination ambiguous, focusing instead on the emotional journey of the passengers.

13. The Witch Next Door

Magical Concept: A suburban witch practices her craft discreetly, helping neighbors with small favors.
Conflict or Mystery: When a new family moves in, they seem intent on disrupting her carefully maintained secrecy.
Writing Tip: Contrast the quiet charm of suburbia with the intensity of magical conflict.

14. The Urban Dragon

Magical Concept: A dragon hides among skyscrapers, feeding off the energy of urban life.
Conflict or Mystery: Construction workers accidentally disturb its lair, leading to destruction across the city.
Writing Tip: Imagine how a massive creature might adapt to live undetected in a metropolis.

15. The Time-Loop Café

Magical Concept: A café resets to the same moment every morning, trapping its customers in a repeating loop.
Conflict or Mystery: One patron begins remembering fragments of previous loops, realizing they’re the key to breaking free.
Writing Tip: Use repetition to build suspense and deepen character relationships over time.

16. The Fey Tech Startup

Magical Concept: A tech startup run by faeries creates devices powered by glamour and illusion.
Conflict or Mystery: Their latest invention causes widespread addiction, blurring reality for users.
Writing Tip: Explore the ethical dilemmas of combining magic and technology.

17. The Necromancer Chef

Magical Concept: A chef uses necromancy to enhance flavors, bringing dishes back to life before serving them.
Conflict or Mystery: A food critic uncovers the dark truth behind the restaurant’s success.
Writing Tip: Combine culinary artistry with macabre horror for a unique twist.

18. The Secret Society of Clocksmiths

Magical Concept: A group of clocksmiths maintains enchanted clocks that control time in specific areas.
Conflict or Mystery: Sabotage disrupts the clocks, causing chaos throughout the city.
Writing Tip: Map out the intricate web of time zones controlled by these magical timepieces.

19. The Shadow Photographer

Magical Concept: A photographer captures shadows that come alive when printed, revealing hidden truths.
Conflict or Mystery: Someone commissions a photo session, but the resulting images show disturbing visions.
Writing Tip: Play with light and shadow to evoke atmosphere and mystery.

20. The Demon-Hunting DJ

Magical Concept: A DJ spins music infused with exorcism spells, banishing demons through sound waves.
Conflict or Mystery: A powerful demon infiltrates the club scene, challenging the DJ’s abilities.
Writing Tip: Blend electronic beats with ancient rituals for a fresh take on demon hunting.

21. The Ghost Writer

Magical Concept: A writer channels stories directly from ghosts, turning their experiences into bestselling novels.
Conflict or Mystery: A vengeful spirit demands credit for their tale, threatening to expose the writer’s secret.
Writing Tip: Examine the ethics of borrowing others’ stories, especially those of the dead.

22. The Magical Mall

Magical Concept: A shopping mall exists in a pocket dimension, offering impossible deals and enchanted goods.
Conflict or Mystery: Customers who linger too long find themselves trapped inside forever.
Writing Tip: Satirize consumer culture while weaving in fantastical elements.

23. The Elemental Traffic Cop

Magical Concept: A traffic officer controls elemental forces to manage chaotic intersections.
Conflict or Mystery: A rogue storm mage targets the cop, creating mayhem on the roads.
Writing Tip: Infuse everyday situations with magical flair.

24. The Alchemist’s Bakery

Magical Concept: A bakery sells pastries imbued with alchemical properties, granting temporary enhancements.
Conflict or Mystery: A rival bakery accuses the owner of poisoning customers with their enchanted treats.
Writing Tip: Showcase the creativity of baking magic while addressing real-world concerns like health and safety.

25. The Forgotten Goddess

Magical Concept: A minor goddess adapts to modern life, working as a freelance artist in the city.
Conflict or Mystery: Her artwork starts manifesting in reality, drawing attention from other deities.
Writing Tip: Humanize the divine by exploring their struggles in a secular world.

26. The Supernatural Reality Show

Magical Concept: A TV network produces a reality show featuring vampires, werewolves, and witches competing for fame.
Conflict or Mystery: Contestants discover the show’s producers have ulterior motives.
Writing Tip: Critique celebrity culture while incorporating supernatural drama.

27. The Psychic Delivery Driver

Magical Concept: A delivery driver predicts accidents before they happen, rerouting packages to avoid disaster.
Conflict or Mystery: Someone sabotages their deliveries, endangering countless lives.
Writing Tip: Ground the supernatural in the logistics of modern commerce.

28. The Ghostly App Developer

Magical Concept: A deceased app developer continues coding from beyond the grave, releasing apps that defy logic.
Conflict or Mystery: Users become addicted to his creations, which begin influencing their behavior.
Writing Tip: Explore the intersection of technology and the afterlife.

29. The Shape-Shifting Fashion Designer

Magical Concept: A fashion designer creates clothes that alter wearers’ appearances, masking their true identities.
Conflict or Mystery: Criminals exploit the designs, leading to a citywide manhunt.
Writing Tip: Use fashion as a metaphor for self-expression and transformation.

30. The Magical Public Transit System

Magical Concept: Buses and trains occasionally veer into magical realms, dropping off passengers in unexpected locations.
Conflict or Mystery: A transit worker investigates why certain routes lead to danger.
Writing Tip: Integrate public transportation into the fabric of the magical world.

31. The Sorcerer’s Bookstore

Magical Concept: A bookstore sells secondhand spellbooks, each containing remnants of their former owners’ magic.
Conflict or Mystery: A book begins rewriting itself, predicting catastrophic events.
Writing Tip: Emphasize the tactile joy of reading while embedding magical intrigue.

32. The Golem Security Guard

Magical Concept: A golem patrols a museum at night, protecting priceless artifacts.
Conflict or Mystery: Thieves target the museum, exploiting the golem’s limited intelligence.
Writing Tip: Give the golem a surprising depth of emotion despite its mechanical nature.

33. The Faerie Wi-Fi Network

Magical Concept: A rogue faerie hacks into the city’s Wi-Fi system, spreading mischief online.
Conflict or Mystery: IT professionals team up with a reluctant fairy expert to stop the intrusion.
Writing Tip: Merge cyberpunk themes with traditional faerie lore.

34. The Cursed Coffee Shop

Magical Concept: A café brews coffee from beans grown in haunted plantations, granting drinkers heightened awareness.
Conflict or Mystery: Patrons begin seeing visions of horrific events linked to the plantation’s history.
Writing Tip: Tie the curse to the exploitation of workers, adding social commentary.

35. The Ghostly Film Crew

Magical Concept: A film crew made entirely of ghosts produces movies that scare audiences into believing in the supernatural.
Conflict or Mystery: A skeptical filmmaker tries to debunk their work, uncovering darker truths.
Writing Tip: Blend horror and humor as the living and dead collaborate.

36. The Magical Street Art

Magical Concept: Graffiti artists create murals that come alive at night, interacting with passersby.
Conflict or Mystery: Authorities attempt to erase the art, sparking a battle between creators and censors.
Writing Tip: Celebrate street art as a form of rebellion and expression.

37. The Time-Traveling Journalist

Magical Concept: A journalist gains the ability to travel through time, investigating historical mysteries.
Conflict or Mystery: They inadvertently alter events, creating ripples in the timeline.
Writing Tip: Use non-linear storytelling to enhance the narrative complexity.

38. The Mermaid Pool

Magical Concept: A public pool harbors mermaids who emerge under moonlight to sing.
Conflict or Mystery: Swimmers begin disappearing, and rumors spread about the mermaids’ intentions.
Writing Tip: Capture the beauty and danger of mythical beings in an urban setting.

39. The Techno-Wizard

Magical Concept: A wizard combines magic with technology, inventing gadgets that bridge the two worlds.
Conflict or Mystery: Hackers steal his blueprints, intending to weaponize his creations.
Writing Tip: Explore the synergy between ancient magic and cutting-edge tech.

40. The Vampire Real Estate Agent

Magical Concept: A vampire specializes in selling haunted houses, ensuring buyers get more than they bargained for.
Conflict or Mystery: A client sues after discovering the house is cursed, threatening to expose the agent’s secret.
Writing Tip: Blend humor with horror in this quirky premise.

41. The Magical Gym

Magical Concept: A gym offers workouts that channel elemental energies, boosting physical capabilities.
Conflict or Mystery: Members start exhibiting uncontrollable powers, alarming the community.
Writing Tip: Highlight the discipline required to wield such potent magic.

42. The Seer’s Blog

Magical Concept: A seer documents their visions on a blog, warning readers of impending disasters.
Conflict or Mystery: Skeptics dismiss the warnings, but followers prepare for catastrophe.
Writing Tip: Build suspense through foreshadowing and reader engagement.

43. The Magical Grocery Store

Magical Concept: A grocery store stocks produce grown in magical gardens, offering health benefits beyond belief.
Conflict or Mystery: A corporate conglomerate seeks to monopolize the store’s supply chain.
Writing Tip: Focus on the connection between food, health, and magic.

44. The Werewolf Courier Service

Magical Concept: A courier service employs werewolves for fast nighttime deliveries.
Conflict or Mystery: Packages start arriving damaged, pointing to sabotage within the company.
Writing Tip: Leverage the speed and strength of werewolves to enhance action sequences.

45. The Ghostly Musician

Magical Concept: A musician plays haunting melodies that soothe restless spirits.
Conflict or Mystery: A vengeful ghost attacks the musician, blaming them for its torment.
Writing Tip: Connect music with emotions and the supernatural.

46. The Magical Car Wash

Magical Concept: A car wash cleans vehicles not just physically but spiritually, removing lingering curses.
Conflict or Mystery: A string of accidents leads investigators to suspect foul play at the wash.
Writing Tip: Add layers of meaning to mundane activities through magic.

47. The Psychic Matchmaker

Magical Concept: A matchmaker uses tarot cards to pair soulmates, guaranteeing love matches.
Conflict or Mystery: Clients question the authenticity of the matches when relationships turn sour.
Writing Tip: Delve into the complexities of love and destiny.

48. The Magical Museum Exhibit

Magical Concept: A museum exhibit brings artifacts to life, allowing visitors to interact with history.
Conflict or Mystery: Exhibits escape their displays, wreaking havoc throughout the city.
Writing Tip: Use education and entertainment as tools for storytelling.

49. The Timekeeper’s Watch

Magical Concept: A watch allows its wearer to pause time temporarily, but drains their energy with each use.
Conflict or Mystery: A thief steals the watch, planning to exploit its powers for personal gain.
Writing Tip: Balance convenience with cost to create tension.

50. The Magical Park Bench

Magical Concept: A park bench grants wisdom to anyone who sits on it, but extracts a memory in return.
Conflict or Mystery: Regular visitors notice patterns in the memories taken, hinting at a larger conspiracy.
Writing Tip: Explore themes of sacrifice and knowledge through intimate moments.

Conclusion

Urban fantasy reminds us that magic can exist anywhere—even in the most unexpected places.

Whether your story takes place in a bustling metropolis or a quiet small town, the blend of the supernatural and the ordinary creates endless possibilities for adventure.

Hopefully, these prompts have helped you find inspiration for your next story.

Now, it’s time to take those ideas and turn them into something truly magical.

Keep writing, keep exploring, and most of all, have fun bringing your urban fantasy world to life!