If by "shortwave receiver" you mean the average broadcast receiver with a shortwave band, the quick answer is, yes. It will work but probably very badly.
Problems:
The tuning rate will be too high.
The front end of the receiver will overload due to poor design and lack of signal frequency selectivity.
The IF bandwidth will be way too wide, you will receive many adjacent channel signals all at the same time.
The BFO will be detected as a signal and act on the AGC, reducing the sensitivity.
If you have such a receiver, try it, the exprience will be worth while. It will drive you on to make something better.
JimB