Nathaniel Hawthorne. His short stories in American literature are remarkable. He delved into themes of sin, guilt, and redemption. His use of symbolism, like the scarlet letter in the story of the same name, is very effective in conveying deeper meanings.
Edgar Allan Poe is also among them. His short stories are famous for their dark and mysterious themes. Poe was a master at creating an atmosphere of suspense and horror in a short amount of space.
Arthur C. Clarke is likely to be among them. He is famous for his scientific accuracy and visionary ideas in his science fiction works.
Ernest Hemingway is one. His short stories are famous for their sparse yet powerful prose. For instance, 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro' shows his skill in exploring themes like regret and the human condition.
Well, there are many great American authors who could be in it. For instance, O. Henry is famous for his surprise endings. His short stories are full of twists and turns that keep the readers on their toes. Then there's Jack London, who often wrote about the harshness of nature and the human struggle within it. And Sherwood Anderson, whose stories often explored the inner lives of small - town Americans. All these authors are likely to be part of the '101 great american short stories' collection.
There might also be Timothy Findley. His stories may offer a different perspective, perhaps delving into historical events and how they shape the present. His writing style might be more experimental in some ways, and his works in the collection could contribute to the overall richness and diversity of Canadian short - story writing.
Margaret Atwood is another. Her books, such as 'The Handmaid's Tale', are not only great contemporary fictions but also powerful commentaries on social and political issues, especially those related to gender and power.
J.R.R. Tolkien is one. His 'The Lord of the Rings' series is a classic of speculative fiction with its richly imagined Middle - earth. Another is Isaac Asimov, known for his Foundation series which explores the future of humanity on a galactic scale. And H.G. Wells, who wrote 'The War of the Worlds' which was ahead of its time in terms of imagining an alien invasion.
Arthur Conan Doyle is another famous name. His Sherlock Holmes stories are classic crime fictions. The deductive reasoning of Holmes and the complex cases he solves are what make these stories so great.
Toni Morrison is one. Her works often touch on the African - American experience of migration and the struggles associated with it. Another is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She writes about the Nigerian experience of migration in some of her works.
Jhumpa Lahiri is a well - known author. Her stories often deal with themes of identity and cultural displacement.