Joost Zwagerman was born on November 18, 1963 in Alkmaar, Noord-Holland, Netherlands. He was a writer, known for Vals licht (1993), Dit was het nieuws (1996) and Tien voor taal (1990). He died on September 8, 2015 in Haarlem, Noord-Holland, Netherlands.
He was one of the most popular Dutch writers of his generation. He was also a columnist and wrote for the Volkskrant, NRC Handelsblad, and Vrij Nederland. Many knew him for his appearances on "De Wereld Draait Door", where he talked about art.