They featured:
* Cowboys: Brave and resourceful, battling outlaws and Native Americans.
* Outlaws: Often romanticized, featuring figures like Jesse James and Billy the Kid.
* Native Americans: Frequently depicted as savage and dangerous, though sometimes sympathetic characters emerged.
* Frontier life: Exploring the challenges and opportunities of settling the West.
* Other genres: While the Wild West was most popular, dime novels also covered detective stories, historical romances, and even science fiction.
The key element was exciting, fast-paced stories, often featuring violence and action, delivered at a low price point.