Tools to convey media content and cost information

A method for submitting media content for publication, the method comprising:

• submitting, via a media submitter user interface presented on a media submitter computer screen, information to prompt a media submitter to enter media content and parameters of the media content, to thereby specify a media layout to be submitted to a publisher for publication;
• storing media data representing a field for holding the given media content, wherein the media submitter user interface is configured to access the field and to display a graphical representation of the field with the given media content, to allow the media submitter to make, via computer screen input, further additions and changes to the given media content, and to allow the media submitter to review the given media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of text and graphics to be submitted as part of the specified media layout;
• receiving, via a media receiver, the given media content into the field via the media submitter computer screen, and storing the given media content;
• and
• evaluating the given media content in the field and thereby determining the space and layout requirements of the given media content, and adjusting the dimensions of a layout incorporating the given media content in a form that mirrors an appearance of the specified media layout upon publication.

Computer readable media configured to cause:

• a media submitter user interface to present, via a media submitter computer screen, information to prompt a media submitter to enter given media content and parameters of the media content, to thereby specify a media layout to be submitted to a publisher for publication;
• storage of media data representing a field for holding the given media content,
• display of a graphical representation of the field with the given media content, to allow the media submitter to make, via computer screen input, further additions and changes to the given media content, and to allow the media submitter to review the given media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of text and graphics to be submitted as part of the specified media layout;
• a media receiver to receive the given media content into the field via the media submitter computer screen, and configured to store the given media content;
• and
• a layout adjuster to evaluate the given media content in the field, and thereby determine space and layout requirements of the given media content, and further configured to adjust dimensions of a layout incorporating the given media content in a form that mirrors an appearance of the specified media layout upon publication.

Apparatus comprising:

• a computer screen user interface;
• an identification information input to receive, via the computer screen user interface, information identifying the user;
• a publication selection interface presenting, for selection by the user, a list of publications wherein media content can be published;
• a media category selection user interface presenting, for selection by the user, one or more categories of media content;
• a classification and package user interface which indicates one or more classification for each selected category and one or more packages selectable for each classification from which a user can select the user-desired classification and package for the media content to be published;
• a template selection interface which indicates one or more templates for the selected package, from which the user can select one or more to use as a template for the media content;
• a media content customization interface presenting separate categories of information to be entered by the user wherein the separate categories are presented based on the media content package selected by the user and wherein the user can freely enter the media content the user wishes to publish;
• a dynamic display of the layout of the media content freely entered via the media content customization interface which presents the media content as it will appear in a final publication, wherein said dynamic display incorporates changes made to the media content by the user in real-time;
• a price information display wherein price information is automatically generated and displayed for each publications selected for publication of the media content based on the media content entered by the user and the publications selected, wherein such price information changes dynamically as the user changes the media content;
• a proof review interface wherein the user is presented with a final graphical depiction of the media content as it will be published based on the selections made by the user and the content entered by the user, and which allows the user to accept or not accept said depiction for publication;
• and
• a media content scheduling interface indicating, upon approval of the final graphical depiction of the media content, the publication purchase options and availability dates for the publications the user selected via the publication selection interface, wherein the user can select from the publication purchase options and from the available dates.