The shocking Miss Pilgrim: a writer in early Hollywood

In 1920, a young journalism student answered an advert for ""Assistant to Story Editor at Universal Pictures"".

Frederica Sagor's new job found her reviewing the opening night performances of Broadway plays and she quickly became the story editor herself.

But when Universal reneged on their contract with her, Sagor moved to Hollywood and launched her own writing career by drafting a screenplay of the bestselling novel ""The Plastic Age"" for the then ""It girl"" Clara Bow.

In the years to come, she befriended and worked with numerous actors and directors, including Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Eric von Stroheim.

As a young woman working in an industry run by powerful men, Frederica was an unspoken pioneer, and her provocative, nonconformist ways brought her both success and failure.

This revealing memoir illuminates the plight of Hollywood writers and offers a unique perspective on the early film industry.