Joan has consulted author Stewart O' Nan on a book about F. Scott Fitzgerald and his time as a screenwriter at MGM. The novel is called "West of Sunset". Joan was sought out by the author for her experience at working at the MGM studio. " He would show me a layout and photos and ask me: Where is this building located, which entrance did I use, where did the screenwriters sit during their lunch hour.." The screenwriters, according to Joan, preferred sitting amongst themselves and had their own tables.