José Carlos Somoza Ortega is a Spanish author born on 13 November 1959 in Havana, Cuba. In 1960, his family moved to Spain after being exiled for being from a bourgeoisie class. Despite facing financial difficulties upon their arrival in Spain, they were supported by friends who helped them during their first years.

Somoza holds a Bachelor's Degree in psychiatry, but in 1994, he decided to become a full-time writer. That year, he began submitting his works to various literary competitions, magazines, and publishers across Spain. His first book was published in 1994. His fifth novel, The Cave of Ideas, gained international recognition, affirming his decision to pursue writing as a career.