In a post on the Hugo House's blog, House Executive Director Sue Joerger just published the following announcement:

I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign as Executive Director of Richard Hugo House, effective July 1. This was a very difficult decision for me, but with Richard Hugo House in a much stronger position than when I arrived, I believe that the House has a bright future—filled with talented staff and teachers, committed students, lively events and a strong community of writers....I am happy to report that Hugo House ended 2010 in the black for the first time in the last five years. I am very proud of this accomplishment.

You can read the whole thing on their blog and I just got a press release that I'll paste after the jump. Joerger wasn't hired for her creative vision—when I asked her to name her favorite author, right after she was hired, she didn't really have an answer—she was clear about the fact that her job was to get the House's shaky financials in order.

Joerger says she's "not quite ready to announce what is next." I'll be looking into what this means for the House over the next few days. Keep an eye on Slog for updates.

For Immediate Release:
May 19, 2011


Richard Hugo House Announces the Resignation of Executive Director Sue Joerger

Thursday, May 19, 2011

SEATTLE - Richard Hugo House announces the resignation of Executive Director Sue Joerger, effective July 1, 2011. Ms. Joerger has successfully led Richard Hugo House, serving as Executive Director since June, 2009.

“This was a difficult decision for me,” Ms. Joerger says, “but with Richard Hugo House in a much stronger position than when I arrived, I believe that the House has a bright future—filled with talented staff and teachers, committed students, lively events and an ever-growing community of writers.”

Under her successful leadership Richard Hugo House achieved positive financial results in 2010 for the first time in five years, a consistently sold-out summer Scribes program for teens, a wealth of diverse classes for writers of all ages taught by esteemed instructors, a robust writers-in-residence program and extremely popular events, including the Hugo Literary Series, which commissions new work from local and nationally-recognized writers.

Ms. Joerger says, “I am not quite ready to announce what is next, but it is certain to have something to do with writing and my commitment to telling the untold stories about Puget Sound.” Joerger adds, “It is my intention to provide a smooth transition to new leadership by working closely with my talented staff. The staff and Board of Richard Hugo House are dedicated to its future, and I am confident that this organization will continue to thrive, offering a haven to writers and readers in our community.”

“Sue will be missed,” says John Burgess, who will be President of the Board of Directors, effective June 1. “She has worked diligently to get Hugo House in the black, quite an effort given the economy the past two years, and she’s been a great mentor to the staff. Classes, programs and events continue to thrive under her leadership.”

Burgess says, “Moving ahead, we have a search committee working on finding a new Executive Director for us. We’re aiming to have a replacement by early fall.”

Richard Hugo House has exciting programs and opportunities slated that will continue to energize the greater Seattle writing community:

In June, the House will announce its complete 2011-2012 Hugo Literary Series line-up, which will include new writing commissioned by Hugo House from Sherman Alexie, Charles Johnson and Heather McHugh, among others;

Hugo House is commissioning a new solo-play from writer/performer David Schmader called “A Short-Term Solution to a Long-Term Problem” that will debut at the House for a three-week run in September, 2011;

A new play from writer/actor Marya Sea Kaminski is being commissioned by Hugo House and will launch at the House in spring, 2012;

Many readings and events such as “Cheap Wine and Poetry”; “Cheap Beer and Prose”; and Write Out, the new happy hour for writers, continue to pack in attendees;

Hugo House is currently accepting applications for a new writer-in-residence, who will begin their term in September, 2011;

Hugo House is currently accepting proposals for fall courses.