Maarten trained as a lawyer and then became a writer and an editor before becoming involved in the bookselling trade when he was manager of the Ateneo Bookstore in Amsterdam. He has published a collection of poetry called Night Fodder (2002), a novel called Time and Day (2005) and a book about the Netherlands and its water called H2Olland (2009). Five of his books have been translated into German. Maarten also translates poetry and contributes to various newspapers.