He was born in Nuoro in Sardinia and studied at the University of Bologna.
His first novel Ferro Recente was published in 1989.
A prolific author, he has also written scripts for radio, TV, film and theatre.
He has won numerous prizes, including:
1992 β Premio Italo Calvino for Picta
1997 β Premio DessΓ¬ for Nulla
1998 β Premio Scerbanenco for Sempre caro
2002 β Premio Fedeli for Dura madre
2007 β Premio Lama e trama
2007 β Premio Super Grinzane Cavour for Memoria del vuoto
2007 β Premio Volponi for Memoria del vuoto
2007 β Premio Alassio Centolibri - Un Autore per l'Europa for Memoria del vuotoFois is considered to be a leading proponent of the "New Sardinian Literature" movement.