New chapter for women's writing

Besides the diverse topics, styles, and genres, readers can also see works of the same topics created by writers from different generations.

For example, both Tie Ning, 65, and Meng Xiaoshu, 35, talk about friendship between women in their stories Xinshi (Messenger) and Shenyou Mansui (Travel in Deep Dream).

Like in the previous two years, Zhang and her team also paid much attention to new writers.

"I hope the anthology can be an encouragement for young women writers, and in five to 10 years, it will offer a selection of female writers of unique dispositions," Zhang says.

She emphasizes that the short stories in the book are works of art that have been widely recognized. For example, Xinshi and Kongque were both first published on Shouhuo (Harvest), a top Chinese literary magazine.

"A really good female writer is one who, without the gender identity, can inscribe her own mark in literature history. Women's literature is about not only the gender, but also all marginalized and disadvantaged groups. And a really excellent female writer cares not just about personal issues but more about social responsibilities," she says.