EXHIBIT 99



NEWS RELEASE

DATE:     October 29, 2003
CONTACT:  JOE L. POWERS
          EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
          P.O. BOX 141000, NASHVILLE, TN  37214-1000
          WEBSITE:  www.thomasnelson.com
PHONE:    (615) 902-1300
FAX:      (615) 883-6353



      THOMAS NELSON ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER FY 2004 EARNINGS RELEASE
                              AND CONFERENCE CALL


     NASHVILLE, TN, October 29, 2003.  Thomas Nelson (NYSE: TNM) today
announced that its earnings release is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5,
2003, prior to market opening.

     Thomas Nelson, Inc. will also host a conference call related to the
earnings release at 1:30 CDT on Wednesday, November 5, 2003.  Individuals may
listen to the call by dialing (800) 289-0528.  The confirmation number for the
call is 261736.

     The live broadcast of Thomas Nelson's quarterly conference call will
be available online by going to www.thomansnelson.com and clicking on the link
to News and at www.streetevent.com.  The online replay will follow shortly
after the call and continue through November 12, 2003.

     Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading publisher, producer and distributor of
books emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes, and
believesit is the largest publisher of Bibles and inspirational books in the
English language.  For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

     Thomas Nelson's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (TNM-NYSE).