EXHIBIT 10.18

                                EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of May 25, 2004, by and between Thomas Nelson, Inc., a Tennessee corporation
(the "Company"), and Michael S. Hyatt ("Executive").

     Executive is currently employed by the Company as President. Executive has
served in a senior executive capacity with the Company for many years thereby
acquiring an intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the Company and
has demonstrated his ability and has performed valuable services for the
Company.  The Company desires to incentivize the Executive to remain in its
employ for the full term of this Agreement and to contractually protect the
Company from the misuse of proprietary, confidential information and from the
Executive competing with the Company. Accordingly, the Company hereby offers
to enter into this Agreement with Executive.

     The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") considers the establishment
and continuity of competent management to be essential to protecting and
enhancing the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.  Thus, the
Board has determined that it is appropriate to provide Executive with
compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change in Control (as defined
below) which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of Executive
will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.

     Therefore, the Company wishes to secure the services of Executive for a
period to and including March 31, 2005 on the terms and conditions set forth
below, and Executive is willing to enter into this Agreement.  In consideration
of the premises hereof and of the mutual promises and agreements contained
herein, the parties therefore agree as follows:

A.  TERM OF AGREEMENT

    1.     Original Term.  This Agreement shall be effective as of the date
           first set forth above (the "Effective Date").  The Company shall
           employ Executive as President of the Company for a term (the
           "Employment Period") commencing on the Effective Date and continuing
           until March 31, 2005 unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section F
           or H hereof.

    2.     Renewals.  The Employment Period shall automatically be extended for
           additional one-year periods unless written notice of non-extension
           is given in writing by either party no less than 60 days prior to
           the scheduled expiration date.

B.  POSITION AND DUTIES

     During the Employment Period, subject to the power of the Board of
Directors to elect and remove officers, Executive shall serve as President of
the Company.  Executive shall have the authority, functions, duties, powers and
responsibilities for Executive's corporate offices and positions which are set
forth in the Company's bylaws from time to time in effect and such other
authority, functions, duties, powers and responsibilities as the Board of
Directors or Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to
time prescribe or delegate to Executive, in all cases to be consistent with
Executive's corporate offices and positions.  Executive agrees, subject to his
election or appointment as such and without additional compensation, to serve
during the Employment Period in such particular additional offices of comparable
stature and responsibility to which he may be elected from time to time in
the Company and its subsidiaries and to serve as a Director of any subsidiary
of the Company.  During the Employment Period, (i) Executive's services shall
be rendered on a full-time, exclusive basis, (ii) he will apply on a full-time
basis all of his skill and experience to the performance of his duties in such
employment and shall report only to the Company's Chairman of the Board of
Directors, (iii) he shall have no other employment and, without the prior
written consent of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors, no outside business activities which require the devotion of
substantial amounts of Executive's time, and (iv) unless Executive otherwise
consents in writing, the headquarters for the performance of his services
shall be the principal executive offices of the Company in Nashville,
Tennessee, subject to such reasonable travel as the performance of his duties
in the business of the Company may require. Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, Executive may devote a reasonable amount of his time to civic,
community, charitable, or passive investment activities and to serve as a
director and/or officer of personally owned corporations and to other types of
business or public activities not expressly mentioned in this paragraph.

C.  COMPENSATION

    1.     Base Salary.  Executive shall be paid an annual base salary as set
           forth on Exhibit A hereto, subject to such increase as may from time
           to time be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company's
           Board of Directors; provided, however, that following any such
           increase in Executive's base salary by the Compensation Committee,
           such base salary shall not be reduced without the prior written
           consent of Executive.  Base salary shall be payable according to the
           Company's regular practice for salary payment.

    2.     Incentive Compensation.  Executive shall be eligible to receive
           annual incentive and bonus compensation, shall be eligible to
           participate in the Company's long-term equity-based incentive
           compensation plans, including, without limitation, the 1992 Employee
           Stock Incentive Plan and the Company's 2003 Stock Incentive Plan,
           and in all incentive, gainsharing, savings and retirement plans,
           practices, policies and programs applicable to other senior
           executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, but in no
           event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide
           Executive with incentive, gainsharing, savings and retirement
           benefits opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
           aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company
           and its subsidiaries for Executive under such plans, practices,
           policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day
           period immediately preceding the date (the "Change in Control Date")
           on which a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs, or if more
           favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time on or
           after the Change in Control Date to other senior executive officers
           of the Company.

    3.     Other Benefits.  During the Employment Period Executive shall be
           entitled to all of the fringe benefits which the Company and its
           subsidiaries make available to senior management if and to the
           extent that the Executive is eligible to participate in accordance
           with the terms of the benefit plans or policies, provided, however,
           that the termination benefits hereunder are in lieu of any severance
           benefits to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled.  Such
           benefits may include, but are not limited to, (i) medical, hospital,
           dental, disability and life insurance plans and coverages,
           (ii) pension, profit sharing, 401(k), employee stock ownership plan,
           deferred compensation and similar plans or arrangements, and
           (iii) any other benefit plan, program or arrangement, including those
           relating to automobiles, clubs, vacations, and expense reimbursement,
           which the Company and its subsidiaries from time to time may make
           available either to their employees generally or to their senior
           executive officers, but in no event shall such plans, practices,
           policies and arrangements provide benefits which are less favorable,
           in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices,
           policies and arrangements in effect at any time during the 90-day
           period immediately preceding the Change in Control Date or if more
           favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time on or
           after the Change in Control Date to other senior executive officers
           of the Company and its subsidiaries.

D.  NONDISCLOSURE AND NON-USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

    1.     Confidential Information.

           (a)  Executive acknowledges and agrees that the information,
                observations and data obtained by him during the course of his
                performance under the Agreement concerning the business or
                affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates is
                the property of the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate, as
                the case may be.  Therefore, during the Employment Period and
                at all times thereafter, Executive (i) shall hold in a fiduciary
                capacity for the benefit of the Company, its subsidiaries and
                affiliates, and (ii) without the prior written consent of the
                Board of Directors or except to the extent required by law (and
                upon prompt written notice of such requirement to the Company
                and such subsidiary or affiliate), shall not directly or
                indirectly, divulge, furnish, disclose, use or make accessible
                for any purpose (except in the course of his employment under
                this Agreement and in furtherance of the business of the Company
                and its subsidiaries and affiliates) any Confidential
                Information (as defined below).  Executive acknowledges and
                agrees that the disclosure of any Confidential Information will
                be damaging or harmful to the business activities of the
                Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and that such
                disclosure can direct or divert corporate opportunities, product
                sales and/or profits away from the Company, its subsidiaries or
                affiliates.  In the event Executive shall be required by law to
                make any disclosure as set forth above, Executive shall promptly
                notify the Company and any subsidiary or affiliate which may
                reasonably be affected by such disclosure and shall cooperate
                with the Company, such subsidiary and such affiliate to preserve
                in full the confidentiality of all Confidential Information
                of the Company, such subsidiary or such affiliate.  Confidential
                Information shall be considered confidential or proprietary
                unless and to the extent that such Confidential Information
                become generally known to and available for use by the public
                other than as a result of any act or omission to act by
                Executive.  Executive will take all appropriate steps to
                safeguard Confidential Information and to protect it against
                disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft.

           (b)  As used in this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information"
                means information that is not generally known to the public and
                that is used, developed or obtained by the Company or any of its
                subsidiaries and affiliates in connection with the Company's or
                such subsidiary's or affiliate's business, including but not
                limited to (i) products or services, (ii) fees, costs and
                pricing structures, (iii) designs, plans or manufacturing data,
                (iv) analysis, observations or data, (v) drawings, artwork,
                photographs, videotapes, audio tapes, other recordings, and
                reports, (vi) computer software, including operating systems,
                applications program listings, and computer files, (vii) flow
                charts, manuals and documentation, (viii) data bases,
                (ix) accounting and business methods, (x) inventions, devices,
                new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or
                unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice,
                (xi) customers, clients, authors or artist and customer, client,
                author or artist lists, (xii) other copyrightable works,
                (xiii) all technology and trade secrets, (xiv) intellectual
                property, unique business information, or confidential or
                proprietary information, and (xv) all similar and related
                information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not
                include any information that has been published in a form
                generally available to the public prior to the date Executive
                proposes to disclose or use such information.  Information wil
                not be deemed to have been published merely because individual
                portions of the information have been separately published, but
                only if all material features comprising such information have
                been published in combination.

    2.     Product Development.  In the event that Executive as part of his
           activities on behalf of the Company generates, authors or
           contributes, individually or with the assistance of others, to any
           invention, design, new development, device, product, method or
           process (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice or
           comprising Confidential Information), any copyrightable work (whether
           or not comprising Confidential Information) or any other form of
           Confidential Information relating directly or indirectly to the
           business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates as
           now or hereafter conducted (collectively, the "Intellectual
           Property"), Executive acknowledges that such Intellectual
           is the exclusive property of the Company and hereby assigns all
           right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property to
           the Company. Any copyrightable work prepared in whole or in part by
           Executive will be deemed "a work made for hire" under
           Section 201 (b) of the 1976 Copyright Act, and the Company will own
           all of the rights comprised in the copyright therein.  Executive
           will cooperate with the Company in all reasonable respects to protect
           the Company's interests in and rights to such Intellectual Property
           (including, without limitation, providing reasonable assistance in
           securing patent protection and copyright registrations and executing
           all documents as reasonably requested by the Company whether such
           requests occur prior to after termination of Executive's employment
           with the Company).

    3.     Delivery of Materials Upon Termination of Employment.  As requested
           by the Company from time to time and upon the termination of the
           Executive's employment with the Company for any reason, Executive
           will promptly deliver to the Company all copies and embodiments, in
           whatever form, of all Confidential Information or Intellectual
           Property in Executive's possession or within his control (including,
           but not limited to, written records, memoranda, notes, photographs,
           plans, records, video tapes, audiotapes, other recordings, reports,
           manuals, notebooks, documentation, program listings, flow charts,
           magnetic media, disks, diskettes, tapes and all other materials
           containing any Confidential Information or Intellectual Property)
           irrespective of the location or form of such material and, if
           requested by the Company, will provide the Company with written
           confirmation that all such materials have been delivered to the
           Company.

E.  NONCOMPETITION

    1.     Covenant Not to Compete.  Executive acknowledges and agrees with the
           Company that Executive's services to the Company and its subsidiaries
           are unique in nature and that the Company and its subsidiaries would
           be irreparably damaged if Executive were to provide similar services
           to any person or entity competing with the Company or any of its
           subsidiaries, or engaged in similar business.  Executive accordingly
           covenants and agrees with the Company that during the Employment
           Period and for two years following the termination of Executive's
           employment with the Company for any reason (the "Noncompetition
           Period"), Executive will not, directly or indirectly, either for
           himself or for any other individual, corporation, partnership, joint
           venture or other entity, participate in (as defined below) any
           business (including, without limitation, any division, group or
           franchise of a larger organization) competing with any of the
           businesses then conducted (or, to the knowledge of Executive,
           planned to be conducted within two years) by the Company or any of
           its successors or then subsidiaries within any geographical area in
           which the Company or its subsidiaries engage or plan within two years
           to engage in any such businesses.  For purposes of this Agreement,
           the term "participate in" will include, without limitation, having
           any direct or indirect interest in any corporation, partnership,
           joint venture or other entity, whether as a sole proprietor, owner,
           stockholder, partner, joint venturer, creditor or otherwise, or
           rendering any direct or indirect service or assistance to any
           individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture and other
           business entity (whether as a director, officer, manager,
           supervisor, employee, agent, consultant or otherwise).

    2.     Nonsolicitation and Noninterference.  During the Noncompetition
           Period, Executive will not directly or indirectly, on behalf of
           himself or another entity, (i) induce, attempt to induce, or assist
           others to induce any artist, composer, songwriter, lyricist,
           musician, author, writer, editor, programmer, technician, cable
           operator, employee, consultant, customer, supplier, licensee or other
           person or entity to terminate its, his or her association with the
           Company or its subsidiaries, or to cease doing business with the
           Company or its subsidiaries, or do anything to interfere with the
           relationship between the Company or its subsidiaries, on the one
           hand, and any artist, composer, songwriter, lyricist, musician,
           author, writer, editor, programmer, technician, cable operator,
           employee, consultant or other person or entity doing business and/or
           under contract with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or with
           whom the Company or any of its subsidiaries is then negotiating, or
           with whom the Company or any of its subsidiaries enters into any
           contract or agreement during the Noncompetition Period, or (ii) hire,
           without the written consent of the Company, any person who was an
           employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries at any time within
           twelve (12) months of the termination of the Employment Period.

    3.     Limitations.

           (a)  Nothing contained in this Section E shall prevent Executive from
                owning up to a 5% interest in any corporation or entity having
                one or more classes of its securities listed on a national
                securities exchange or market, or publicly traded in the
                over-the-counter market, provided that Executive is not actively
                involved in any manner whatsoever in the operation or management
                of such corporation or entity.

           (b)  If under the circumstances existing at the time of enforcement
                of this Section E, the period, scope or geographic area
                described in this Section E shall be found or held to be
                unreasonable, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period,
                scope or geographic area reasonable under the circumstances
                shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or geographic
                area.

F.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT (OTHER THAN SUBSEQUENT TO A CHANGE IN CONTROL).

    1.     Applicability.  This Section F shall apply only to termination of
           the Employment Period prior to the occurrence of a Change in
           Control (as defined below) during the Employment Period.
           Termination of the Employment Period following the occurrence of a
           Change in Control shall be governed by Section H.

    2.     Events of Termination and Related Payments.

           (a)  Disability.  In the event that during the Employment Period
                Executive should become Disabled, the Company (acting by
                resolution of the Board) may elect to terminate the Employment
                Period by written notice to Executive, his guardian or personal
                representative.  Executive, his guardian or personal
                representative, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive
                (i) full compensation pursuant to Section C at his then base
                salary rate from the date of termination of employment
                continuing for the lesser of (a) one year following the date of
                such notice and (b) the remainder of the then effective
                Employment Period, and (ii) bonus for the calendar year in which
                Executive's termination of employment occurs as determined in
                good faith by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
                Directors in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing
                provisions of this Section F(2)(a), the payments provided herein
                with respect to any period of Disability shall be reduced by the
                amount of any benefits payable to Executive, his guardian or
                personal representative, as the case may be, during such period
                under any disability or similar plan or program of the Company
                of any of its subsidiaries in respect of Executive's Disability.

           (b)  Death.  In the event of Executive's death during the Employment
                Period, his personal representative shall be entitled to receive
                any compensation pursuant to Section C which is accrued and
                unpaid as of the date of his death.

           (c)  Termination Due to Serious Misconduct.  In the event that during
                the Employment Period Executive should commit Serious Misconduct
                (as defined below), the Company (acting by resolution of the
                Board) may elect to terminate the Employment Period by written
                notice to Executive, and Executive shall be entitled only to any
                compensation and benefits which are vested but unpaid as of the
                date of termination of employment.

           (d)  Termination for Reasons Other Than Death.  Disability, Serious
                Misconduct or Voluntary Action by the Executive.  In the event
                that the Employment Period is terminated at the option of the
                Company for any reason other than for Serious Misconduct, death,
                disability, or voluntary action by the Executive, the Executive
                shall be paid a lump sum payment equal to the lesser of
                (1) current base salary and target bonus for the remainder of
                the term hereunder, and (2) a sum equal to twice current base
                salary and target bonus, and the Company shall pay such sum to
                Executive within thirty (30) business days following such
                termination.  Executive's voluntary resignation resulting from
                unwarranted demotion and/or material diminution of
                responsibilities shall be governed by the terms of this
                provision and shall not be considered a voluntary termination as
                defined in subparagraph (e) hereunder.  In the event of such
                termination, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the
                premium paid by the Executive for the continued coverage for the
                Executive (and any dependents of the Executive covered by the
                Company's health care plans as of the date of termination) under
                the Company's health care plan pursuant to COBRA (or any of the
                mandatory health care continuation law then in effect), such
                coverage being substantially similar to that provided the
                Executive on the date of his termination,  but such
                reimbursement shall be only for a period which is of (1) the
                remainder of the term hereof, and (2) two years from the date of
                termination.

           (e)  Voluntary Termination by Executive.  In the event that
                Executive, for reasons other than those set forth in
                subparagraph (d) hereinabove, voluntarily terminates his
                employment with the Company prior to the end of the Employment
                Period, the Company shall pay any earned but unpaid portion of
                Executive's base salary and incentive compensation through the
                date of his termination provided that the Executive is in full
                compliance with the provisions of Sections D and E hereof.

    3.     Definition of Certain Terms.

           (a)  "Disabled" means such physical or mental condition of Executive
                as is determined by the Company's Board of Directors in its sole
                discretion to be expected to continue indefinitely and which
                renders him incapable of performing any substantial portion of
                the services contemplated hereby (as confirmed by competent
                medical evidence).

           (b)  "Serious Misconduct" means embezzlement or misappropriation of
                corporate funds, other acts of dishonesty or reckless or
                intentional misconduct which is materially harmful to the
                business or reputation of the Company or its subsidiaries, the
                conviction of a felony, refusal to perform or disregard of the
                duties properly assigned by the Chief Executive Officer of the
                Company or the Board, or a material breach of any of the
                provisions of Sections D or E above or of any of the other
                provisions of this Agreement which violations are not cured
                within sixty (60) days of written notice to the Executive of
                the breach.

    4.     Effect of Breach of Noncompetition of Nondisclosure Provisions.  In
           the event Executive materially breaches or otherwise fails to comply
           in any material respect with the provisions of Sections D or E above,
           then, in addition to any other remedies provided herein or at law or
           in equity, the Company shall not have any further obligation to make
           any additional payments to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
           Termination of such payments pursuant to the preceding sentence shall
           not relieve Executive's obligations pursuant to Sections D or E
           above.

G.  CHANGE IN CONTROL

    For purposes hereof, a "Change in Control" shall have occurred if:

           (1)    any "person" other than any trustee or other fiduciary holding
                  securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company
                  within the meaning of Section 14(d) of the Securities
                  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") becomes the
                  "beneficial owner" as defined in Rule 13D-3 thereunder,
                  directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of either the then
                  outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock (the
                  "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or the combined voting
                  power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company
                  entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
                  "Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that any
                  acquisition by the Company or its subsidiaries, or by Sam
                  Moore, S. Joseph Moore, members of their families, relatives,
                  certain family partnerships, trusts associated with the Moore
                  family and other entities who have as of July 1, 1995 jointly
                  filed a Statement on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act, or
                  by any reconstituted version of such filing group or any
                  corporation with respect to which, following such acquisition,
                  more than 80% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
                  common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power
                  of the Voting Securities of such corporation entitled to vote
                  generally in the election of directors is then beneficially
                  owned, directly or indirectly, by the individuals and
                  entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
                  Outstanding Common Stock and Company Voting Securities
                  immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially the
                  same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such
                  acquisition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
                  Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, shall not
                  constitute a Change in Control;

          (2)     during any two-year period, individuals who constitute the
                  Board of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Board") as
                  of the beginning of the period cease for any reason to
                  constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any
                  individual becoming a director during such period whose
                  election or nomination for election by the Company's
                  shareholders was approved by an affirmative vote of at least
                  two-thirds of the directors then comprising the Incumbent
                  Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy
                  statement of the Company in which such person is named as a
                  nominee for director without objection to such nomination)
                  shall be, for the purposes of this subparagraph (b),
                  considered as though person were a member of the Incumbent
                  Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
                  whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an
                  actual or threatened election contest relating to the election
                  of the directors of the Company (as such terms are used in
                  Rule 14A-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange
                  Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
                  or consents; or

          (3)     approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
                  reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, with
                  respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals
                  and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the
                  Common Stock and Company Voting Securities immediately prior
                  to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not,
                  following such reorganization, merger or consolidation,
                  beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 80% of,
                  respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and
                  the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                  securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
                  directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting
                  from such reorganization, merger or consolidation, or a
                  complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or of the
                  sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
                  assets of the Company.


    Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control for purposes of this
    Agreement shall not be considered to occur as a result of a transaction
    which is approved by the Company's Board of Directors in advance of the
    transaction and prior to the consummation of the transaction if such
    transaction is specifically excluded by the Board of Directors from the
    definition of "Change of Control" for purposes of this Agreement and such
    exclusion is approved by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
    directors then comprising the Incumbent Board.  Furthermore, anything in
    this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if Executive's employment
    with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which a Change in
    Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by Executive that such
    termination of employment (1) was at the request of a third party who has
    taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change in Control or
    (2) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of the Change in
    Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall
    be considered to have occurred immediately prior to Executive's employment
    termination date.

    In the event the Board adopts any plan or takes any action which, if
    consummated, would result in a Change in Control of the Company, the Company
    shall take any action determined by the Board to be necessary or appropriate
    to ensure the prompt payment when due of any amounts which may thereafter
    become payable hereunder upon termination by the Company of Executive during
    the Employment Period, including but not limited to the placement of
    sufficient funds to pay all such amounts in an escrow account with a bank
    or other fiduciary institution.

    On the Change in Control Date, to the extent permitted by law, regardless
    of date or grant, all stock options previously granted shall be come
    exercisable and all restrictions on restricted stock shall lapse.  All
    previously deferred compensation (including interest or earnings) shall, at
    Executive's election, be paid to Executive within 10 days of the Change in
    Control Date.

H.  TERMINATION FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL

    Following a Change in Control of the Company, the provisions of Section H
    and Section I shall apply exclusively with respect to (i) the termination
    of Executive's employment during the Employment Period and (ii) amounts
    payable to Executive upon such termination.

    If a Change in Control of the Company shall have occurred, Executive shall
    be entitled to the benefits provided herein upon Executive's subsequent
    termination of employment during the Employment Period, unless such
    termination is (i) because of Executive's death, (ii) by the Company
    because of Executive's Disability or Serious Misconduct or (iii) by
    Executive other than for Good Reason.  For purposes hereof, "Good Reason"
    shall mean the occurrence or continuation, without consent of Executive,
    after a Change in Control of the Company of any of the following events
    within 24 months after the Change in Control Date:

          (1)     the assignment to Executive of any duties materially
                  inconsistent with the position with the Company that
                  Executive held immediately prior to the Change in Control of
                  the Company, or a material adverse change in the status,
                  position or conditions of Executive's employment or the
                  nature of Executive's responsibilities in effect immediately
                  prior to such Change in Control, or any removal of Executive
                  from or any failure to re-elect Executive to any of such
                  positions, except in connection with the termination of his
                  employment by the Company for Serious Misconduct, Disability
                  or death or by Executive other than for Good Reason;

          (2)     a reduction by the Company in Executive's annual base salary
                  as in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control which
                  is not consistent with general compensation reduction for a
                  senior executive officer of the Company;

          (3)     the relocation of Executive's principal office to a location
                  outside a 25 mile radius from Executive's principal office
                  immediately prior to such Change in Control, except for
                  required travel on the Company's business to an extent
                  substantially consistent with Executive's business travel
                  obligations immediately prior to such Change in Control;

          (4)     the failure by the Company to pay to Executive any portion of
                  Executive's salary within seven days of the date such salary
                  is due;

          (5)     the failure by the Company to continue in effect any benefit
                  or compensation plan in which Executive participates
                  immediately prior to the Change in Control which is material
                  to Executive's total compensation, including but not limited
                  to the stock option, employee stock ownership, bonus,
                  insurance, disability and vacation plans which the Company
                  currently has or any substitute or additional plans adopted
                  prior to the Change in Control, unless an equitable
                  arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative
                  plan or plans) has been made with respect to such plan, or
                  the failure by the Company to continue Executive's
                  participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative
                  plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both in
                  terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of
                  Executive's participation relative to other participants, as
                  in existence immediately prior to such Change in Control; or

          (6)     the failure of the Company to obtain an agreement from any
                  successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as
                  contemplated herein.

    Executive's right to terminate his employment for Good Reason pursuant to
    this section shall not be affected by Executive's incapacity due to
    physical or mental illness.  Executive's continued employment shall not
    constitute consent to, or a waiver of with respect to, any circumstance
    constituting Good Reason hereunder.  In the event of any dispute between
    Executive and the Company as to whether any event constituting Good Reason
    shall have occurred, the burden of proving by clear and convincing
    evidence that such event does not constitute Good Reason shall rest on the
    Company.

    Any termination of Executive's employment by the Company or by Executive
    pursuant to this Section H shall be communicated by written notice of
    termination (the "Notice of Termination") to the other party hereto, and
    shall indicate the specific termination provision in the Agreement relied
    upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
    claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment.  For
    the purposes hereof, "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if Executive's
    employment is terminated for Disability, 30 days after Notice of Termination
    is given (provided that Executive shall not have returned to the full-time
    performance of his duties during such 30 days) or (ii) if Executive's
    employment is terminated for any other reason other than death, the date
    specified in the Notice of Termination.

I.  PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION FOLLOWING TO CHANGE IN CONTROL

    Following a Change in Control, Executive shall be entitled to the following
    benefits upon termination of employment during the 36-month period following
    the Change in Control Date:

    1.     Death, Disability, Serious Misconduct or Termination by Executive
           Other Than for Good Reason.  Following a Change in Control and a
           termination of Executive's employment because of Executive's death
           or by the Company because of Executive's Disability or Serious
           Misconduct or by Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company's
           only remaining obligations under this Agreement shall be to pay any
           base salary earned through the Date of Termination plus the amount
           of any compensation previously deferred by Executive, in each case
           to the extent theretofore unpaid, and Executive's benefits shall be
           limited to vested benefits provided under any retirement, insurance
           and other benefit programs of the Company then in effect determined
           in accordance with the terms thereof.

    2.     Other.  If following a Change in Control the employment shall be
           terminated by Executive for Good Reason or by the Company other than
           for death, Disability or Serious Misconduct, Executive shall be
           entitled to the amounts provided below, such amounts to be paid in
           cash in a lump sum no later than the tenth business day following
           the Date of Termination:

           (a)  the Company shall pay to Executive his full base salary, and
                earned or accrued, but unpaid vacation pay, through the Date of
                Termination at the rate in effect at such time, plus all other
                amounts, including but not limited to incentive compensation for
                a past fiscal year which has not yet been awarded or paid to
                Executive under incentive plans, programs or arrangements,
                including any deferred awards (it being understood that with
                respect to any incentive compensation which has not been
                awarded, the individual performance component of the award shall
                be determined on at least the basis that Executive has met all
                applicable standards) to which Executive is entitled under any
                compensation or benefit plan of the Company;

           (b)  a lump-sum severance payment (the "Severance Payment") equal to
                two (2) times the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary as
                of the Date of Termination and (ii) any cash bonus received by
                Executive in the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided,
                that such amount shall be paid in lieu of, and Executive hereby
                waives the right to receive, any other amount of severance
                relating to salary or bonus continuation to be received by
                Executive upon termination of employment of Executive under any
                severance plan, policy or arrangement of the Company; and

           (c)  at the election of Executive, the cash-out of any or all of
                Executive's stock or stock-based awards granted pursuant to
                both the Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1992 Employee Stock Incentive Plan
                and the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan at the "Change in Control
                Price" provisions set for therein.

     3.     Legal Expenses.  In addition to any other amounts payable hereunder,
            the Company also shall reimburse Executive for all legal fees and
            expenses reasonably incurred by Executive as a result of any
            termination of the Employment Period under the circumstances set
            forth in Section H hereto (including all such fees and expenses, if
            any, incurred in contesting or disputing any right or benefit
            provided by this Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or
            proceeding to the extent attributable to the application of
            Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
            (the "Code"), to any payment of benefit provided hereunder).

     4.     Continuation of Benefits.  Following a Change in Control, for the
            remainder of the Employment Period, or such longer period as any
            plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the Company shall
            continue benefits to Executive at least equal to those which would
            have been provided to them in accordance with the plan, programs,
            practices and policies described in Section C(3) of this Agreement
            if Executive's employment had not been terminated in accordance with
            the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the
            Company or its subsidiaries applicable generally to other senior
            executive officers during the 90-day period immediately preceding
            the Change in Control Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in
            effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other senior
            executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided,
            however, that if Executive becomes reemployed with another employer
            and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under
            another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare
            benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under
            such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For
            purposes of determining eligibility of Executive for retiree
            benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies,
            Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until the
            end of the Employment Period and to have retired on the last day
            of the Employment Period.

            To the extent not theretofore paid, the Company shall timely pay or
            provide to Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be
            paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive pursuant
            to this Agreement under any plan, program, policy or practice or
            contract or agreement of the Company and its subsidiaries, but
            excluding solely purposes of this Section I(4) amounts waived by
            Executive pursuant to Section I(2)(b).

     5.     Certain Reduction in Payments by the Company.  For purposes of this
            Section, (i) a "Payment" shall mean any payment or distribution in
            the nature of compensation to or for the benefit of Executive,
            whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise;
            (ii) an "Agreement Payment" shall mean a Payment paid or payable
            pursuant to this Agreement (disregarding this Section); (iii) "Net
            After Tax Receipt" shall mean the Present Value (as defined below)
            of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on Executive with respect
            thereto under Sections I and 4999 of the Code, determined by
            applying the highest marginal rate under Section I of the Code
            which applied to Executive's taxable income for the immediately
            preceding taxable year (iv) "Present Value" shall mean such
            value determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code;
            and (v) "Reduced Amount" shall mean the smallest aggregate amount
            of Agreement Payments which (a) is less than the sum of all
            Agreement Payments and (b) results in aggregate Net After Tax
            Receipts which are equal to or greater than the Net After Tax
            Receipts which would result if the aggregate Agreement Payments
            were any other amount less than the sum of all Agreement Payments.

            Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
            event KPMG LLP (the "Accounting Firm") shall determine that receipt
            of all Payments would subject Executive to tax under Section 4999
            of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine whether some amount
            of Payments would meet the definition of a Reduced Amount.  If the
            Accounting Firm determined that there is a Reduced Amount, the
            aggregate Payments shall be reduced to such Reduced Amount.  In the
            event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor
            for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control,
            Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting
            firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting
            firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).
            All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely
            by the Company.

            If the Accounting Firm determined that aggregate Agreement Payments
            should be reduced to the Reduced Amount, the Company shall promptly
            give Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed
            calculation thereof, and Executive may then elect, in his sole
            discretion, which and how much of the Agreement.

            Payments shall be eliminated or reduced (as long as after such
            election the Present Value of the aggregate Agreement Payments
            equals the Reduced Amount), and shall advise the Company in writing
            of his election within 10 days of his receipt of notice.  If no
            such election is made by Executive within such 10-day period, the
            Company may elect which of such Agreement Payments shall be
            eliminated or reduced (as long as after such election the Present
            Value of the aggregate Agreement Payments equals the Reduced Amount)
            and shall notify Executive promptly of such election.  All
            determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section shall
            be binding upon the Company and Executive and shall be made within
            60 days of a Date of Termination.  As promptly as practicable
            following such determination, the Company shall pay to or distribute
            for the benefit of Executive such Agreement Payments as are then
            due to Executive under this Agreement and shall promptly pay to or
            distribute for the benefit of Executive in the future such Agreement
            Payments as become due to Executive under this Agreement.

            While it is the intention of the Company and Executive to reduce
            the amounts payable or distributable to Executive hereunder only if
            the aggregate Net After Tax Receipts to Executive would thereby be
            increased as a result of the uncertainty in the application of
            Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
            by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will
            have been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefits
            of Executive pursuant to this Agreement which should not have been
            so paid or distributed ("Overpayment") or that additional amounts
            which will have not been paid or distributed by the Company for the
            benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement could have been
            so paid or distributed ("Underpayment"), in each case, consistent
            with the calculation of the Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event
            that the Accounting Firm, based either upon the assertion of a
            deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or
            Executive which the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability
            of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such
            Overpayment paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit
            of Executive shall be treated for all purposes as a loan to
            Executive which Executive shall repay to the Company together with
            interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in
            Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that no such
            loan shall be deemed to have been made and no amount shall be
            payable by the Executive to the Company if an to the extent such
            deemed loan and payment would not either reduce the amount on which
            the Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of
            the Code or generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the
            Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or substantial
            authority, determined that an Underpayment has occurred, any such
            Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
            benefit of Executive together with interest at the applicable
            federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.

     6.     Full Settlement.

            Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company's obligation to
            make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to
            perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any
            set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right
            or action which the Company may have against Executive or others.
            In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment
            or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
            payable to Executive under any of the provision of this Agreement
            and, except as provided to Executive under any of the provisions of
            this Agreement and, except as provided in Section I(2)(b) of this
            Agreement, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not
            Executive obtains other employment.

J.  REMEDIES

    Executive acknowledges that he will receive privileged information from
    the Company and that he will have substantial access to the Company's trade
    secrets, business information and personnel data.  In consideration of his
    employment and the privilege of access to the Company's trade secrets,
    information, business methods and procedures, and personnel data, Executive
    acknowledges that the restrictions contained within Sections D and E are
    reasonable and necessary in order to preserve the Company's legitimate
    interests and that any violation thereof would result in irreparable injury
    to the Company for which monetary damages would be an inadequate remedy.
    Therefore, Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any
    violations thereof, the Company may seek from any court of competent
    jurisdiction preliminary and permanent injunctive relief as well as an
    equitable account of all Executive's profits or benefits arising out of
    such violation, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any
    other action or remedies to which the Company may be entitled.

K.  SUCCESSORS

           (a)  This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior
                written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by
                Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
                distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
                be enforceable by Executive's legal representatives.

           (b)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
                upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

           (c)  The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
                indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
                all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
                Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement
                in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company
                would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
                place.  As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the
                Company as herein before defined and any successor to its
                business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
                perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
                Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement prior to the
                effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach hereof
                and shall entitle Executive to terminate his employment for
                Good Reason.

L.  NOTICES

    All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
    shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
    certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
    follows:

    If to the Executive:

                           Michael S. Hyatt, President
                           Thomas Nelson, Inc.
                           Nelson Place at Elm Hill Pike
                           Nashville, Tennesssee  37214-1000

    If to the Company:

                           Thomas Nelson, Inc.
                           Nelson Place at Elm Hill Pike
                           Post OFfice Box 141000
                           Nashville, Tennessee  37214-1000
                           Attention:  General Counsel

    or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other
    in writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications shall be
    effective when actually received by the addressee.

M.  MISCELLANEOUS

    1.    The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
          shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
          provision of the Agreement.


    2.    The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement
          such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld
          pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

    3.    Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict compliance
          with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or
          the failure to assert any right Executive or the Company may have
          hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive
          to terminate employment for Good Reason, shall not be deemed to be a
          waiver of such provision or right or any other promotion or right of
          this Agreement.

N.  WAIVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS

    No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless
    such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and is signed
    by Executive and an executive officer of the Company.  No waiver by either
    party hereto of the party's compliance with or breach of, any condition or
    provision herein to be performed by said party shall constitute a
    simultaneous waiver of any other terms, provisions or conditions herein nor
    shall such waiver by either party constitute a continuing waiver of said
    pertinent term, provision or condition subsequent thereto unless such
    continuation of waiver is agreed to in writing by the parties pursuant to
    the terms of this paragraph.

O.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT

    This Agreement, including attachments, contains the entire agreement between
    the parties hereto and no agreements or representations, oral or otherwise,
    express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been
    made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.

P.  APPLICABLE LAW

    The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement
    shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee.  Any dispute
    regarding this Agreement or any amendment or addendum hereto shall be
    resolved through an arbitration hearing held in accordance with the
    procedures of the American Arbitration Association.  Such arbitration
    hearing shall be held in Davidson County, Tennessee and the arbitrators'
    decision shall be final, binding and nonappealable by the parties hereto.
    The cost of any such litigation to enforce all or part of this Agreement,
    including, without limitation, court costs and attorney's fees, shall be
    paid by the party found to be in default hereunder or who is otherwise found
    to be acting or to have acted contrary to the terms hereof.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

EXECUTIVE:                                         THOMAS NELSON, INC.:


/s/ Michael S. Hyatt                               /s/ Sam Moore
-------------------------                          -------------------------
Michael S. Hyatt                                   Name
President
                                                   Chairman and CEO
                                                   -------------------------
                                                   Title

May 25, 2004                                       May 26, 2004
-------------------------                          -------------------------
Date                                               Date