Season finale. Howie makes sense of all the advice, the visual prompt is revealed, and the guests of Writers comma Ice Cream offer Listener an intergalactic send-off.

Novelist Susan Scarf Merrell ditches a manuscript that won’t sell, Writers comma Ice Cream ventures outside, and Howie sees a fight in his future.

"Writers comma Ice Cream" returns with apologies and a flashback. Marine Ecologist Carl Safina brings the reader with him, Howie opens the pit of despair, and Listener gets another crack at the visual prompt.

Scientist Paul Lawrence writes a technical story without vivacious verbs, argues on behalf of cherry garcia, and contemplates a unique zombie setting. Artie reads another manuscript, Listener gets a not-so-classified briefing about Plum Island, and Howie’s literary bones creak. Recommended ice cream: Cherry Garcia.

Author Patty Blount writes a book in 7 weeks, gets serious about chocolate, and wins an award. Listener learns about high concept, Artie earns a new title, and Howie's dreams are crushed. Recommended ice cream: Chocolate Therapy.

Author Lee Mandel spins a writing prompt into a career, Tweets times three, and publishes another book.  Host Howard Gunston writes a plotless story, and Listener learns a secret about Ashleigh Royce and Holleigh James. Recommended ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Poet Cathy Linh Che earns that capital W. She swaps a mortgage down payment for an MFA, gives her notice at work, and wins book of the year. Recommended ice cream: listener’s choice!

Debut author Judy Mandel puts a marketing plan to the ultimate test. Amazon gets trumped by the NY Times, research notes make great house decor, and Barnes and Noble hearts a memoir. Recommended ice cream: chocolate gelato.

Writing gets real for author Robert Halliwell. The editors of Dreamspinner press pounce, a dream comes true at Disney World, and self-publishing goes head-to-head with traditional publishing. Recommended ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

Matthew Seery turns a love of music into his first book, “The Record Prophets.” Listener gets a crash course in self-publishing, learns music is dead, and why the number thirty-seven trumps eighty-six. Recommended ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.