M.B. Paradise, Author of ‘Beach Santa’

Inspired by Rutgers' Eric LeGrand, she changed careers during the pandemic.

By Jennfer Amato. Reprinted from NJ Family.com July 17,2023

M.B. Paradise won’t take no for an answer. The mom of three kids, ages 13, 18 and 20, respectively, has a background in sports medicine but changed careers during the pandemic. Living in Manasquan, she used the beach town as her inspiration for her new children’s book and after several non-responses, decided to self-publish the book. Meeting a real-life “beach Santa” and following the inspiring journey of former Rutgers University football star Eric LeGrand inspired the book and her mission to increase beach accessibility to wheelchair users. LeGrand became paralyzed in an October 2010 game and has been wheelchair-bound since, inspiring people all over the world with his positive attitude, perseverance and mission to help others. We asked M.B. Paradise how she got into children’s book writing, the message behind her new book and more.
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New Jersey Family: What inspired you to pivot from sports medicine to writing?
M.B. Paradise: I did something you should never do: I quit one job without having another. Well actually, I thought I had one lined up. I resigned in February 2020 with the intent to take March off and start my new job in April and the pandemic had a different plan. So, this business started because I was in a complete professional funk.

NJF: Have you always been a writer?
MBP: I’m not a writer by trade; I’m a sports medicine professional. I tried to get multiple scientific papers published, but I had no luck. I tried to get different children’s books published in 2010 – again, no luck. I even took my manuscript and tied it to a small house plant (in an attempt to get noticed) and walked into different publishing houses in New York City. I got zero responses. So finally, getting something published – even though it was self-published – felt like such a huge accomplishment.

NJF: Why did you decide to write a book? 
MBP: The origin of this story is unique. We live at the Jersey Shore, and when my kids were small, they were down by the water looking for shells, but they couldn’t find any good ones and they were very vocal about it.  A slim older gentleman with a white beard was fishing next to us. He overheard this conversation and reached into his cargo vest and pulled out three beautiful conch shells and throws them on the ground. He said, “Hey, you forgot these.” One of my daughters said, “That guy is like a beach Santa.” And the idea was born. But, I was a busy working momma so I didn’t write the story until 10 years later.

NJF: Tell us about the plot.
MBP: Most people are familiar with what Santa does on the night before Christmas, but what about the night after? He’s exhausted and needs a vacation! He’s focused on catching up on sleep, catching waves and catching a fish. But, as he finally dips his toes in the water, he catches wind about children in need, and Santa jumps into action!  He ultimately catches something, but it may not be what you think.

NJF: Tell us how Eric LeGrand helped inspire your book.
MBP: The day I saw Eric LeGrand, on social media during the pandemic taking steps to open a coffee shop, it lit a fire under me to finish my book and I vowed then and there to donate to his cause which is Team LeGrand. Eric is a former Rutgers University football player who sustained a spinal cord injury and continues to inspire others through his amazing example of positivity and perseverance. My specific mission within Team LeGrand is to increase beach accessibility to wheelchair users through the purchase of beach mats and beach wheelchairs; 25 percent of book sales are donated to this cause.
Other important sources of inspiration include my cousin Becky from Texas, who spent her life in a wheelchair. We were pen-pals growing up and the mission behind the book is to honor her memory. And aside from Eric LeGrand, Sam Jarmer and Aaron Van Trease are other New Jersey athletes who continue to push through the physical and psychological challenges of a life-altering injury with grace and grit.

NJF: How will you be promoting your book in NJ? 
MBF: I have an author visit at Lady of Mount Carmel camp in Asbury Park on July 18 at 8:30 am. I have storytime at the Brielle Library at 3:30 pm on July 18. I will be part of the Manasquan Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet Me in Manasquan – Christmas in July Day” on July 20 from 6-9 pm. I will appear at Ladies Night – Christmas in July at My Sister’s Favorite Things in Lavallette on July 21 at 7 pm. I will make another author visit at the Red Bank Elks Club on July 22. I will be part of “Beach Santa” inspired crafts at Hoffman’s Ice Cream in Spring Lake Heights for their Christmas in July celebration from 5-7 pm July 25.

NJF: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?  
MBP: Before Christmas, I was selling 150 books per week when the expected number for an indie author is 10 per week. And actually, it’s following through on one of my ideas. I don’t know about everyone else, but I have ideas come to me, I think they are legit and then I get busy, and they fizzle out. For this book, just finishing something, something that I had been wanting to do for a long time, something that I’d never done before, and having the guts to throw it out there has been very cool to see unfold.

NJF: What advice would you give to moms who want to write a book?
MBP: This goes for anyone: moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, and librarians: You can be scrappy, like me, and self-publish a children’s book for a lot less than what most people want to charge. But this does take some time, creativity and tenacity.

NJF: How do you balance parenting Madigan, Katie and Teagan with writing and all your other projects?
MBP: I regularly binge on dark chocolate chips.

NJF: What’s your favorite place to go with your kids in NJ?
MBP: The Asbury Park boardwalk. All three of my kids love it there, especially when I’m treating for crepes.
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NJF: What’s your favorite way to spend me time?
MBP: In the summer, nothing beats the chill vibe at the beach early in the morning with a cup of tea. In the winter, I love checking out different indie-owned coffee shops–one of my faves is Turnstile in Belmar.