the "Dime Novels" (now called pulp fiction)

Dime novels, now often called pulp fiction, were inexpensive paperback books popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They featured sensational stories in genres like adventure, crime, and detective tales, aimed at a mass audience. Characterized by their vivid storytelling, flashy covers, and affordability—often costing just a dime—they provided accessible entertainment for the general public. These publications helped democratize reading and influenced modern popular genres, including pulp magazines and paperback novels, shaping American popular culture and literary trends.