Author Groupies

Up until today I considered "groupie" a derogatory moniker. Then I found myself and realized I'm a groupie.
I'm an author groupie. I have over 100 authors on my Facebook friends list and only one of them requested me as a friend. I instigated all the other "friendships".
Many years ago I attended a book signing with Terry Kay (Dancing With the White Dog). I'd been so moved by the book and wanted to show him how much. I crafted one of my layered paper Christmas ornaments and took it to give him as a gift when I met him.
Years passed and I read Sugar by Bernice McFadden and the desire hit me again to connect with the person whose work moved me so.
By now, the internet was up and running and made simple for old folks like I am. I reached out to Ms McFadden and this lead me not only to new friends, but to fiction by black authors.
I was fortunate enough to meet Bernice McFadden last fall at an event in KC. On the same program was Carleen Brice (Orange Mint and Honey) who was also on my friends list. By now I'd read both of Carleen's books and all of Bernice's. I attended the event with two more of my ornaments in hand.
I was the only 100% white person in the audience of approximately 250 people and it was one of the highlights of my life. Both Bernice and Carleen recognized me from my Facebook photos and I got hugs and priceless photos.
Will I stop stalking authors now? Not as long as I can draw breath and persuade one of my children to chauffeur me.