A short story collection is a book that features a series of individual stories, each typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand words. These stories can vary in theme, style, and tone, allowing readers to experience different narratives and characters within a single volume. Writers often use short story collections to explore diverse ideas or showcase their range as authors. Collections may focus on a common theme, such as love, loss, or identity, or they may present unrelated stories. Notable examples include works by authors like Alice Munro and Ray Bradbury.