AP Conundrum

I'm having my periodic "Golly, it'd be nice if I was still stringing for AP" mood, and I'm looking for some input on how to deal with a situation.

I was an AP stringer in another city (with no f/t AP sports writer) far away, and when I moved to where I'm at now, I contacted the bureau chief and offered my services. He suggested I e-mail the f/t AP sports writer here, and I did.

To my first e-mail, no response. Second, nothing. Phone message, nada.

So I contacted the bureau chief in my old locale, asking for his advice. He sent an e-mail to the local BC, who said he'd have the sports writer contact me.

Nothing.

That was a year ago. Now I have the "Boy, I wish I had some extra income without having to work at Wal-Mart" bug in my craw, and I'm thinking AP (or any other reputable freelance source).

But I have no clue how to approach it in a polite way — even though the local sports writer didn't have the courtesy to just write "Not interested" in response.

Suggestions?

 

Try other media outlets in the area?
I'm pretty sure AP is in a hiring freeze, so they are probably also trying to cut their stringer/freelance budget.

 

You should just probably stab someone.

 

Sports person should have been polite and responded, but he or she probably already has their own stringers lined up.

At my AP stop, we had people begging to string constantly, but both the photo and sports editors had reliable people and too many backups to name.