Faruk Myrtaj was born in Selenicë, Vlorë, where he completed high school in 1974. Until 1983, he worked in the mines, after which he graduated as a mining engineer (surveyor) from the University of Tirana in 1988. In November 1989, he began his career as a journalist at "Zëri i Rinisë" and later contributed to several other newspapers, including "Alternativa SD," "Rilindja Demokratike," "Republika," and "Albania." During 1992-1993, he served as deputy director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

From 1995 to 1997, Myrtaj was a press spokesperson and cabinet chief at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, and later, from 1997 to 2003, worked at the Book Distribution Agency. On November 3, 2003, he emigrated to Canada with his family.

In 2004, Myrtaj became a member of The Writers' Union of Canada and PEN Canada. In Canada, he has published short stories and essays in online literary media, including translations by Arben Kallamata and Aida Dismondy, and has written notes on Canadian authors' books. His essay “How I Discovered Canada through Translation” was included in the anthology Speaking in Tongue, published by PEN Canada and BANFF Center in 2005. He is also featured in the short story anthology Lost in Translation, prepared by PEN Canada.