<human>: Hey, Reddit! Not bothering with a throwaway on this one. 

So, getting right to it, I've written a few romance novels and have had some mild success. Now, as I'm working on some more mainstream books, a family friend has come asking for help.

My husband and I have known "Steve" for years so, when he said he wanted my help getting published, I told him I'd help edit his book and write a proper query letter. 

In short, the book is terrible. The storylines jump around, the grammar is awful, the characters are flat, and the ending is lackluster. I helped where I could and gave him a short list of publishers, and agents, to check out. I don't know how many he followed through with, but he says they all rejected him almost immediately. 

The problem, now, is that he's looked up the publishing house I work for and wants me to help push his book through. He heard that I helped another of my friends, "Jane", get her novel printed and thinks that I should do the same for him. The difference is that Jane had good bones to her story and I felt comfortable putting in a good word to the editors. I'm not some NYT bestselling author, so I don't have the crazy pull Steve thinks. 

How do I deal with Steve without messing up our friendship? Do I help him work out his story more, even though I'm not passionate about it? Do I put my neck out anyway?

Summarize the given text in a few sentences.
<bot>: I write heaving-bosoms books and a friend wants my help getting published. But, his book doesn't have a shot. Helppppp.