Our very good friend, Manchester-based author, Pete Mackenzie Hodge asked for our help in publicising Delirium Diaries, his first published book, released on 28th October 2024. Pete’s memoir details his unlikely survival of a near fatal illness, followed by the drama and sometimes comic absurdity of deep psychosis. It goes without saying that we were instantly on-board.
Out of nowhere, during the early, frightening stages of the pandemic around Christmas 2020, Pete found himself being blue lit to hospital after a mystery bacterial infection of the lung quickly and viciously led to double pneumonia and sepsis. Within a matter of hours, he was in ICU and placed in an induced coma for 12 days with an uncertain chance of coming out alive. His story from there, to battling home to his young family is nothing short of remarkable.
Delirium Diaries shares a tale of love and resilience, emphasising the power of sheer grit and determination in defying the odds, something Pete is familiar with, given this was the second time he faced death and lived to tell the tale. In late 2008 as a 22-year-old, Pete was diagnosed with bone cancer, developing sepsis that time also. He was given a 50/50 chance of survival, before having his leg amputated in early 2009, defeating cancer, and fighting his way back to full health.
Written following a chance meeting with Steve Coogan, Delirium Diaries offers hope for a post-COVID readership seeking connection and understanding, exploring the contrast between the comfort of home and the sterile hospital environment, from an innocent wild swim to an induced coma.
In an era shaped by the aftermath of COVID-19, this memoir provides insight into the human experience, bridging the gap between curiosity and understanding amidst the chaos of uncertainty and upheaval.
After speaking to Pete at length to ensure we were telling his story correctly, we reached out to our media contacts on a regional and national level, and the response was massive! We placed features and interviews on the Daily Mirror, the Daily Star twice – here and here, Lad Bible, MSN twice – here and here, Yahoo News, the Manchester Evening News, Manchester’s Finest, About Manchester, Manchester World, My Salford, and Birmingham Live, plus multiple appearances on BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Lancashire – Pete is now regularly asked on air across the regional BBC Radio stations to comment as an expert on ICU delirium.
Pete is an exhilarating person and an extremely talented writer; with more work hurtling down the pipeline we are excited to see what comes next. You just never know with this guy.
Sundae x
