SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 12b-25

                         NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One):
   [ ] Form 10-K  [ ] Form 20-F  [ ] Form 11-K  [X] Form 10-Q  [ ] Form N-SAR

            For Period Ended:       JUNE 28, 2003
                             -------------------------------

            [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
            [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
            [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
            [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
            [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

            For the Transition Period Ended:
                                             ---------------------

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:
                                                        ------------------------


PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Advanced Marketing Services, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Name of Registrant


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former Name if Applicable

5880 Oberlin Drive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

San Diego, California 92121
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City, State and Zip Code


PART II -- RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

            (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
            form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

      [X]   (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
            on Form 10-K, Form 20-F,11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will
            be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the
            prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report of transition
            report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before
            the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

            (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
            12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III -- NARRATIVE

       To assure accuracy, the additional time is necessary to avoid
unreasonable effort and expense.

PART IV -- OTHER INFORMATION

(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification

         Edward J. Leonard                   (858)              450-3518
-----------------------------------      -----------       ------------------
               (Name)                    (Area Code)       (Telephone Number)

(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of
1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
identify report(s).

      [X] Yes          [ ] No

(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

      [ ] Yes          [X] No

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. has caused this notification to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


Date: August 12, 2003               By:  /s/ Edward J. Leonard
      --------------------               ---------------------