Entertainment
1 February, 2026
FNQ sets scene for ‘Stormy Normy’
CHILDREN’S author Leisa Fail has received international recognition for her ‘Stormy Normy’ book series, with awards highlighting both its global reach and strong Far North Queensland connections.
Mrs Fail said the accolades followed a successful book launch tour through Cairns, Babinda and Tully last November and marked a significant moment for the series.
The first book, ‘The Global Win: Book 1’, set in McKinlay, has won a 2025 Winnie Award in Maryland, United States, described as a prestigious international honour for equestrian storytelling.
Mrs Fail said the award had opened new opportunities overseas.
“Well, it’s opened it up, really, to the world stage,” she said. “It really opens the door to the American market.”
The second book, ‘Stormy Normy and the Tom Quilty Gold Cup’, is set around the Goldsborough Valley and the Tablelands and has been named on the 2025 Big Bang Notable Book List while also winning the Visionary Award for Chapter Books in America.
Mrs Fail said the local setting was central to the story.
“All the stories set around the Mulgrave River, that’s areas that locals would have seen me and Storm training on over and over again,” she said. The recognition comes as Far North Queensland communities continue recovery efforts following ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
Mrs Fail said the series aimed to support children during difficult times.
“It helps kids understand that you can build resilience and when things are tough, sometimes you just have to keep pushing through to get to the other side,” she said.
The series will conclude with ‘Book 4’, due for release on 6 November, which sees Stormy Normy return to McKinlay to search for his mother.
“A lot of readers have wanted to see them be reunited,” Mrs Fail said.
She said the final book would close the chapter on Stormy Normy.
