The Legend:

Once upon a time, a strange malady fell upon all the writers active in the Eastern Court. Each seemed to be writing fiction that included a bear. To honor the event, and to inspire the writers, a trophy was created and dubbed the Nobby! Depending on whom you ask, the Nobby bestows amazing powers upon its bearer, powers too terrible to describe here. Really.

The Rules:

Who gets the Nobby? Good question! The Nobby circulates among the members of the Eastern Court. So powerful is the Nobby, that its possession must needs be of temporary duration. It is entrusted into the keeping of the last writer to sell their writing, and remains in a sacred alcove prepared by that person until such time as another member makes a sale. Then, amidst much pomp and circumstance the Nobby changes hands.

The Dispossessed:

As can be imagined, the Nobby is coveted by authors throughout the world. Alas, while some may have the rare privilege of actually holding the trophy, because they are not members of the Eastern Court they can never truly possess it. Below is a sample of these envious authors, gazing longingly, lovingly, perhaps even licentiously at the Nobby they can never own.