NBCUniversal's Bluprint Debuts Writing Flagship Category And New DIY Content To Jump Start The New Year

As millions look to make (and keep) resolutions and set new goals to better themselves in the New Year, Bluprint - NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment's state-of-the-art digital lifestyle learning platform and streaming service - is providing thousands of creative options to make 2019 the year to start creating or reconnecting with a favorite activity.

With Bluprint, there are no excuses not to dive right in because beginning January 7, users can embrace and enhance their creative journeys with all new DIY content - such as cake decorating, meal planning and embroidery - along with over 4,000 hours of existing Bluprint content within a supportive, knowledgeable community.

Bluprint offers online courses in categories that champion creativity and self-expression such as crafting, wellness, cooking, baking, fitness and more. The content, taught by top experts in their fields, offers makers, doers and creatives access to learn something new or perfect an existing skill. Because all of the content is streaming, you can turn your creative passion into action on your own schedule.

This month, Bluprint also debuts a brand-new writing vertical, launching on January 23. The expansion into writing was purposeful, as writing naturally hits on many creativity points. The act of expressing ideas through words is, in many ways, the foundation for creativity, and improved writing skills can help inspire future imaginative activities.

As you set resolutions for the new year, let Bluprint help you make your creative endeavors successful and fun!

New January content includes:

? "Jump Into Cake Decorating" (Launching January 7): Hosted by renowned cake artist and "Man About Cake" superstar Joshua John Russell - with the help of his SIDEKICK sock puppet, Gus - this six-part, family-friendly series will teach you the basic skills, tools, and techniques of cake decorating. "Jump Into Cake Decorating" is part of a larger "Jump Into" series which teaches parents and kids alike the basics of Knitting, Embroidery and Drawing, with courses on Yoga, Cooking, Sewing, Crochet and Quilting to come.

? Mindful Meal Planning (Launching January 11): Cooking doesn't have to be hard, time-consuming or expensive. And cooking for yourself is better for you! Learn to plan your work and work your plan with expert home chef and on-the-go mom, Amanda Haas. Amanda − a consultant for Whole Foods, Traeger Grills, Brava Ovens, among other brands − has published more than a dozen cookbooks, and currently teaches cooking classes.

? Boho Style: Mixed-Media Embroidery (Launching January 25): Walk on the wild side with self-taught textile expert Nichole Vogelsinger as she introduces you to her original Boho-style embroidery techniques: pairing colors, patterns, and fabric combinations to create modern, one-of-a-kind artistic pieces. In this six-part series, you'll learn the tips, tricks and tools needed to complete three easy, bold Bohemian-style projects. Nichole is the author of Boho Embroidery: Modern Projects from Traditional Stitches (2016) and Boho Embroidery - The Pattern Collection: Over 30 Modern Motifs & 20 Traditional Stitches (2018).

The brand-new vertical will feature how-to courses with top writing experts in a variety of different disciplines, ranging from creative writing to memoirs to children's books:

? "Creative Space: Writer's Edition" (Launching January 23): Hear from five up-and-coming writers - each hosting their own episode in this five-part, series produced by Big Fish Entertainment - who are pushing the boundaries of writing and bringing fresh and bold perspectives to the literary world. Pixar animator and writer, Mike Wu, explores the art of juggling two jobs and exhibiting persistence in the face of failure. Graphic novelist Kristen Radtke explores the space between writing and art in her graphic novels, and the anxiety of trying to create, and maintain a work/life balance at her job at The Believer. Breakout Emmy® nominee, Fatimah Ashgar, discusses her hit "Brown Girls" and making art she wished she had made growing up as a queer Muslim woman. Bestselling-author Vanessa Hua discusses making the leap to fiction, how she manages to write, and joining a creative community. Award-winning poet and up-and-coming author Safiya Sinclair explores the past, the clash between her and her Rastafarian culture, and talks about finding her voice with poetry.

? "Good Words with Steve Almond" (Launching January 23): Join bestselling author Steve Almond in an innovative six-part creative writing series that mimics the vibrant, communal feel of a workshop with innovative craft topics. In each episode, Steve teaches a craft lesson as well as workshops one participant's writing on the spot. You'll learn practical skills to start, fix, or transform your work and get inspired along the way, with topics such as "Creating an Irresistible Narrator," "Make Your Characters Snap, Crackle, and Pop!" and "Your Obsessions Are Your Muse."

? "Fiction 101 - Writing a Novel" (Launching January 23): Critically-acclaimed author of three novels and NAACP Image Award® nominee, Tiffany D. Jackson guides writers through the challenges of creating compelling characters, plotting, dialogue, and how to make your prose sing. This class will inspire and motivate new and established writers to get the creative juices flowing.

? "Memoir 101 - Writing About Your Life" (Launching January 23): Author of two New York Times best-selling memoirs, Fulbright scholar and Harvard graduate Emily Rapp Black inspires writers to start telling their own stories. This class shares all the tips and tricks needed to write a compelling story when the protagonist is yourself, whether through personal essay or full-length memoir.

? "Children's Picture Books 101 - Writing for Kids" (Launching January 23): Have you ever wanted to write a children's book? Celebrated children's author and illustrator Mike Curato teaches the ins and outs of writing your own picture book, from creating ideas, to crafting characters, to coming up with a great plot. Find out how to create a story that keeps adults and children turning the pages and discover what it takes to get your book published.

? "Journal Writing 101 - Transcend the Everyday" (Launching January 23): Join writer, host and wellness/creativity cheerleader Katie Dalebout to learn different journaling exercises and techniques to help connect to your authentic self, relieve anxiety, increase creativity, improve productivity and create more joy in your everyday life. Journaling helped Katie change her life and now she wants to help you discover the power of journaling.

WHEN: Beginning Monday, January 7, 2019

WHERE: Available streaming on demand at www.mybluprint.com, via the Bluprint app
and on Roku.

ABOUT: Bluprint is the digital lifestyle learning platform and streaming service where
your passions become actions. World-class experts, offering beginner to advanced-level guidance that fits busy schedules, make it easier for people to spend more time enjoying the activities that make them feel engaged in their creative pursuits. The Bluprint streaming service provides around-the-clock access (from any device) to a library of content in categories that champion creativity and self-expression, such as crafting, knitting, wellness, cooking, baking, fitness and more. In addition to more than 4,000 hours of exclusive classes and series, Bluprint subscribers also get access to curated supplies and a supportive community designed to motivate members to dive deeper into a current interest or sample a new one. Bluprint is available for a monthly plan at $7.99/month, or an annual plan at $79.99/year. A seven-day free trial is currently available.