Dime novel

In the United States in the late 19th century and very early 20th century, a dime novel was a low-priced novel, typically priced at 10 cents (a dime). The original dime novels were published in a tabloid format, but later evolved into a more standard book format. In the United Kingdom similar books were called penny dreadfuls or shilling shockers, terms also referring to the denomination of coin (penny and shilling) needed to buy one from a vendor.

Dime novels and penny dreadfuls often involved melodramatic tales of vice and virtue in conflict, often with strong elements of horror and cruelty. Their main audience consisted of young and/or unsophisticated readers, primarily male.

Many American dime novels had inspirational themes, most notably those written by Horatio Alger, Jr.. Respected writers such as Theodore Dreiser and Upton Sinclair often wrote dime novels under pseudonyms. New York City-based firm Street & Smith, founded in 1855, was one of the most prolific publishers of the genre.