FATE Accompli

Way back in the mid-1960s we had FATE Magazine in the house. It features the paranormal, the odd, the stuff that mainstream won't touch, and I found it fascinating. A few of the stories back then stuck with me to the point I still see a man in a fedora with blazing red eyes from time to time.
The magazine has a few departments including one where readers can submit their stories of ghostly encounters called "My Proof of Survival."
When I was eight or so I decided I'd be published in FATE and had in my mind it likely would be one of the standing columns.
In 2009 I submitted to the magazine, jumped through its hoops, and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Issues come out bi-monthly making the wait that much longer. Contributors are advised they will not be told beforehand when their story is to run. All I could do was wait for the cheque and my contributor copy.
I'm patient. I know things take time.  I take beta blockers so it takes more than a bit to rile me.
Two years passed. Nothing. I cut my beta blocker dosage.  I contacted the magazine in June 2011, but got no response. I take some responsibility for that as I used the main email with no contact person's name. Those are easy to discard.
I stewed a bit then tried again in October after digging out the name of the editor I'd dealt with originally. I asked were they planning to run it and if not to give me back my rights to it.
Response was quick. My story had run in the July-August 2009.
To their credit they made good quickly. I received the contributor's copy and my cheque last Thursday.
It is regrettable I had to give them a nudge, but it is taken care of and I am grateful.
A goal I set 45 years ago has been met.