-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001020563-05-000001.txt : 20050512
<SEC-HEADER>0001020563-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050512214826
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001020563-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050331
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050512
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050512

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVIS W LIPSCOMB JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001020563

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13788
		FILM NUMBER:		05826240

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		615 367 8441

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GENESCO INC.
		STREET 2:		1415 MURFREESBORO ROAD
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMAS NELSON INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000071023
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING AND PRINTING [2731]
		IRS NUMBER:				620679364
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 NELSON PLACE
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37214-1000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158899000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 141000
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37214-1000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NELSON THOMAS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROYAL PUBLISHERS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19721019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000071023</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>THOMAS NELSON INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TNm</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001020563</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAVIS W LIPSCOMB JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>GENESCO INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1415 MURFREESBORO ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NASHVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37217</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>440</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-09-30</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-09-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Thomas Nelson Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7234</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7234</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Units were accrued under the Thomas Nelson Inc 1997 Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors at various times during the 2nd half of the fYE 3-31 2005 at prices ranging from $19.80 to 24.57.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Units are settled in cash only in ten annual installments beginning with the election of the Director as determined by age at time of election</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Reportable person has Power of Attorney on file with the security issuer that authorizes and designates Joe Powers and Les Hottovy to sign on his behalf.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Les Hottovy, Power of Attorney for W. Lipscomb Davis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----