Victoria Bailey, a sophomore at Foran, has officially become a published author with the release of her debut novel, Reckless Hate.

The book was released on September 17, 2025, marking Bailey’s entry into the world of Young Adult (YA) fiction.

Falling into the fantasy genre, Reckless Hate follows the story of Princess Keria Gravemore and blends magic, adventure, and themes of self-discovery and coming of age.

Bailey began her writing journey in her freshman year, experimenting with short stories before deciding to tackle a full-length novel. Inspired by her love of reading, she wanted to bring the worlds in her imagination to life.

The writing process took six months, often after school, followed by seven months of editing. The finished book is 343 pages long. Choosing a title wasn’t easy—she had two options in mind before Reckless Hate just “came to her.”

Her classmates have been excited and supportive throughout the process. Kayla Johnson, a senior at Foran, described the book as “a mix of The Selection and The Princess Diaries,” calling it “a quick read” and saying, “I can’t wait for her next book.”

Family encouragement also played a key role, helping her stay motivated throughout the long writing and editing process.

Despite hitting a challenging point in the middle of writing, Bailey pushed through with the support of her family and her own determination: “I had come too far to stop.”

Reckless Hate is available in both paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Booktopia, and Amazon, and is recommended by Bailey herself to readers aged 13 and up. To celebrate the release, Bailey plans to host a small book signing at a local bookstore, giving fans a chance to meet her and learn more about her work.

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue writing and sees herself completing a second book within the next five years.

Bailey’s debut not only showcases her talent and dedication but also sets the stage for a promising future as a young author.