I nstead of playing with her friends or surfing Facebook last year, 13 year old Jerusha Barnett-Cameron spent her summer writing and illustrating a novel and, with a little help from her mum, Sandra, has managed to secure a publishing contract.

As the school year drew to a close, Jerusha "decided she was going to cure her boredom while her mum was at work" and began writing a sci-fi fantasy about a girl who must find out about herself in order to save another world.

"I've always written stories," Jerusha says, "so writing this was like second nature."

Despite a blanket ban on reading anything related to her writing, her mum persuaded her to take the book to a publishing house so she had a bound edition of her work.

However, Woodlord were so impressed they offered Jerusha a book deal.

Delighted by the news, Jerusha went on to explain: "My friends were really enthusiastic. They kept asking me when it would be out and how much it would cost so that they could buy a copy."

Although, Sandra joked there is a potential readership of 300 million in America alone, both Jerusha and her mum have said that they're not fazed by the prospect of advances or royalties

"I'm just happy to be published," Jerusha admitted "and if I make any money that will be great, but right now I'm just waiting for the book to be available online."

Vicover Petal: Nothing as it Seems is due to be published by Woodlord publishers.

Jerusha's book is now available for pre-order on Amazon for £4.99.