[aggieben]

This is a medium-term investment of time, but my advice is to network. In my experience, personal connections are the best way to find the kind of work you want consistently. Show up to user groups, recruiting events, conferences, seminars. Work with recruiters to get started if you need to, but be sure to make connections with every client with whom you come into contact (posting on HN counts as networking too, I think).

[TBDMark]

Agree - I'm involved in the local data analysis and statistics groups and take advantage of those whenever possible. They happen monthly or so and have proven to be a decent method to meet folks.

One thing I may try in the future - during intros at those events, ask to stand up and announce I'm available for contract work. Companies often announce jobs at these, so why not announce my availability?