ME
I grew up in Detroit. Anthony Bourdain said Detroit is a cool place to be from. It IS.
I wrote a story in the school newspaper about going to the Beatles concert. That means I have been a published author since 8th grade. Our school bus went past WXYZ-7 TV Detroit every day. I dreamt about working in television. For 26 years, I worked at WSVN-7 Miami. Working in television is like not working at all, right? Wrong. It IS.
I graduated from Michigan State University and I thought that I had the world by the ass because of it. I DIDN’T.
Every single day I write and eventually the catharsis of writing has formed who I am. That’s TRUE.
I am a swimmer. You know, swimming is the ANSWER.
The question is IRRELEVANT.
I would tell you about my son but he doesn’t like when I do that. So I WON’T.
I was a high school English teacher, an assignment editor at WSVN-7 and the creator of THE BROWARD PEOPLE PROJECT.
The Books
I wrote the book “God Took My Arms but He Gave Me THIS GIFT.” The book is about Paralympic swimmer Abbas Karimi.
It is the 2025 Buck Dawson award winning book.
I have done dozens of presentations, podcasts and book signings.
Contact me for an AUTOGRAPHED COPY.
People ask if the story still makes me cry. It DOES.
“I was trying to smile but my lips were shaking, my body was shaking. I’m standing there thinking about how I’m representing 80 million displaced people from around the world. I am the only refugee to ever win an international title like this. I have made history. But I am also thinking, I’m not done”
“The Swimmer With No Arms” is a rhyming children’s book about Abbas Karimi, PLY, a two-time Paralympic swimmer whose true story shows what is humanly possible against all odds. It is written for kids 9 years old and up. It includes vocabulary, discussion questions and three videos with a special message for kids.
The book is now available on Amazon Kindle.
“The races I swam there were a total blur
My body was on fire, of this I was sure
After all of these years,I was the best I could be
And now they were raising the American flag for me
Because I never accepted the things for one settles
I am a Paralympian now with two silver medals“
The Documentary
The University of Miami has been awarded a grant to make a documentary based on my book and I am the consulting producer.
Want to see the trailer? You CAN.
Writing
Starting a memoir? Need to give a speech? Creating a wedding toast? Let me help you with your project.
- 26 years experience with news writing, field producing and editing for WSVN-7 Miami and the Miami Herald
- Writing contest judge for Broward County Schools
- Created writers groups for Gilda’s Club South Florida, Broward County Library system, city of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Club 55 members
- Writing coach and consultant for other published authors
- Participating member of the South Florida Writers Association
MEDIA
Guest on The Author’s Showcase
The Author’s Showcase podcast, August 2026
Book-Bonding Across Generations
Ask Dr. Gramma Karen – GRAND Magazine, Summer 2026
Karen Rancourt features Anita Mitchell and “The Swimmer With No Arms,” sharing the story behind the book and its adaptation for young readers.
Swimming
I have been a member of Swim Fort Lauderdale Masters Swim Team since 2005. I have ribbons and medals and a motherlode of swim awards that span six, five-year age groups.
Contact
mitchzback [at] gmail [dot] com