Maya Kern is a friend of fellow webcomic artist Michelle Cjawoski, author of Ava's Demon. Both that webcomic and Michelle herself are referenced multiple times in Monster Pop!
Michelle also gave Percy a cameo in Ava's Demon.
Other friends of Maya's are named when George introduces them and Tiny Minaj to Marina.
Maya is a ukelele player and makes music, which she posts on her blog.
Percy's roommate in chapter 3 was named/designed after a friend of the author who has since also come out and transitioned!