About the Competition

Welcome to Tiny Ocean Stories!

At The Marine Diaries, we believe that everyone has an ocean story to share.

The ocean shows up in our lives in more ways than we might realise - through a childhood memory, a family tradition, a walk along the coast, something we saw from a boat, a favourite meal, or a fleeting encounter with marine life. 

Tiny Ocean Stories is about those authentic moments (big or small) that reveal our connection with the ocean - wherever we are, and whatever our experience or background.

We're looking for real stories that make us feel something and bring a moment to life. You don't need to be a writer, have travelled anywhere exotic, or even have been in the water. Just tell us a story that reveals your connection with the ocean.

Selected stories will be shared across The Marine Diaries' website, newsletter, and social channels - helping to bring new voices, places, and everyday relationships with the ocean into the spotlight.

Please read the full submission guidelines below before submitting.

Tiny Ocean Stories is an original project by María Ordovás-Montañés, launched in collaboration with The Marine Diaries.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Deadline for entries: 30 September 2026. 11:59PM BST.

 

Submission Guidelines

What we’re looking for

We’re collecting personal ocean stories. That could be a moment, memory, or experience that connects you to the ocean, coast, or marine world. It might have happened in the sea, beside it, or somewhere you wouldn’t expect.

We're interested in the many ways the ocean shows up in all of our lives - and we're looking for the authentic moments (big or small) that reveal our relationship with the ocean. It doesn't have to involve getting in the water - or even being near the sea.

We're looking for stories that make us feel something and bring a specific moment to life. Your story might make us smile, wonder, laugh, or feel nostalgic, surprised, or inspired. It might be bittersweet or moving. There's no right emotion - we're simply looking for something that stayed with you, and might stay with us too.

Stories must be true. They must be first hand - either something you experienced or witnessed yourself. We're interested in the real moments that connect real people to the ocean.

We want you to focus on a single moment. Not a whole trip or a lifetime relationship with the sea, but the few minutes you can’t forget. And the best stories will put us there - so help us see what you saw, hear what you heard… and maybe even feel the salt spray, the cold, or the sun on your back.

For a sense of what short stories can achieve, we encourage you to explore Five Minute Lit, 100 Word Story, or Gotham Writers contests. These literary contests show what's possible with just a few words!

Rules

  • We are looking for real stories, from real people (not fiction).

  • Stories must be 100 words or less.

  • Stories must be written in English.

  • Entries must not contain profanity, discriminatory language, or hate speech.

Eligibility

  • You do not need to be a writer to enter.

  • Must be an original story and not published elsewhere.

  • Open to anyone aged 13+.

  • Submit from anywhere in the world

  • We strongly encourage submissions from voices that are underrepresented and marginalised in ocean storytelling.

 

Meet the juDGe

María Ordovás-Montañés is a researcher, writer, and audio storyteller based in England.

Her 100-word stories have been published by Five Minute Lit (where she’s also been a guest judge).

She's a two-time winner of Gotham Writers’ 25-word ‘Stories Everywhere Contest’, and she contributed to the award-winning ‘Out There’ podcast.

You can listen to her underwater story "Crackle" on Twenty Thousand Hertz (5:55).

María Ordovás-Montañés-Tiny-Ocean-Stories

FAQs

  • Not at all. We're looking for real stories, not literary perfection. If you have an ocean moment worth sharing, we encourage you to submit.

  • Yes, completely free. There is no entry fee and no prize money. However selected stories will be spotlighted across The Marine Diaries' channels.

  • Yes, up to 3 per person.

  • We’re interested in the many ways the ocean shows up in our lives, so your story could be anything that reveals a connection to the ocean.

  • We are looking for real stories that reveal our connection with the ocean. No fiction please!

  • We’re interested in what connects YOU to the ocean. You need to write from your own perspective, so you can tell us a story about something you experienced yourself, or something you witnessed (which could involve other people).

  • No. It could be something that happened yesterday, or thirty years ago. What matters is that it stayed with you.

  • We welcome entries from anyone. As long as the story is written in English, you're eligible. We understand not everyone writes in English as their first language - we're judging for the story, not the grammar.

  • This is optional. It could be of you, the place your story is set, or your local blue space… whatever feels right! You must have the rights or permissions to any photo or video you submit.

  • The deadline for entries is 30 September 2026. 11:59PM BST.

  • All entries will be anonymised before judging. The judge will not see your name, location, or bio when reading your story.

  • We aim to announce featured writers by mid-late October 2026. All entrants will be notified by email.

  • We'll contact you by email to let you know. Your story will be featured across The Marine Diaries’ website, newsletter, and social media. We may also reach out about additional optional opportunities.

  • You'll receive an email letting you know. And we invite you to enter future editions of Tiny Ocean Stories! Your story will also be kept on file, and we may contact you if an opportunity arises to share it.

  • Email media@themarinediaries.com and we'll get back to you.