International:
* Nobel Prize in Literature: Awarded annually by the Swedish Academy, it is arguably the most prestigious literary award globally, recognizing "the person who shall have produced the most outstanding work in an idealistic direction."
* Man Booker Prize: Awarded annually for the best original novel written in English and published in the UK and Ireland. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the English-speaking world.
* International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award: Awarded annually for a novel published in English, it boasts the largest prize sum of any literary award.
National:
* Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (USA): A highly prestigious award presented annually by Columbia University, recognizing excellence in American fiction.
* National Book Award (USA): Awarded annually for the best works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young people's literature in the United States.
* PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (USA): Awarded annually by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, it recognizes excellence in American fiction.
Others:
* The New York Times Book Review's "10 Best Books of the Year": While not a traditional award, this list carries significant influence and prestige in the literary world.
* The National Book Critics Circle Award (USA): Awarded annually by the National Book Critics Circle, it recognizes excellence in American fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and criticism.
Ultimately, the "highest" literary award depends on individual criteria and preferences.