Hello, there! I'm T. E. LaMonte, though you'll usually find me online as BytheCandlelight. I'm a science fiction author, illustrator, and 3D artist from New Mexico. I earned a BFA in Art Studio, where I focused on traditional media such as oil painting, acrylic, and sculpture, though much of my current work is created digitally in a semi-realistic style.

I'm working toward becoming a full-time illustrator and writer, and I love bringing those passions together through stories and artwork that leave people with something to think about.

After years of creating personal projects, I'm turning my focus toward completing novels. The stories I enjoy most are driven by memorable characters, and I strive to write people who feel authentic.  Many of my characters are informed by experiences I've had navigating depression, chronic pain, and neurological conditions. While their stories are their own, grounding them in genuine emotion helps me create characters who feel honest and human. 

Above all, I want to create the kinds of stories I would have loved to discover on a bookstore shelf. And, hopefully, you will enjoy them too.