Dime novels, also known as pulps (5 letters), potboilers (10 letters), and penny dreadfuls (14 letters), were a type of popular fiction published in the 19th century. They were usually short stories or novels that were printed on cheap paper and sold for a dime. The stories often featured sensationalized topics such as crime, romance, and adventure. Dime novels were widely read by people of all ages and classes, and they helped to shape the popular culture of the time.