Year after Hugo's first success (7)
I believe the answer is:
victory
'first success' is the definition.
'victory' can be an answer for 'success' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'first' bit.
'year after hugo's' is the wordplay.
'year' becomes 'y'.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'hugo' becomes 'victor' (author Victor Hugo).
'y' after 'victor' is 'VICTORY'.
(Other definitions for victory that I've seen before include "ship" , "Success against an opponent" , "Win" , "See 8" , "Successful ending to a struggle or contest" .)