Total revenue dipped and earnings fell in News Corp.’s publishing division in the first quarter ended September 30, but HarperCollins said it had a “solid” quarter boosted by the July purchase of Thomas Nelson which led to a “significant increase” in revenue. Worldwide e-book sales (excluding Nelson) for the first quarter represented 16% of total sales.

News Corp. also said it continues to make progress is plans to separate its publishing businesses from its entertainment companies and hopes to provide more details before the end of the year about the split, which it plans to complete before the end of its next fiscal year next June.