def create_distant_reference(self, ref_data):
        """Validate and create the reference in Zotero and return the created item."""
        self.validate_reference_data(ref_data)
        creation_status = self._zotero_lib.create_items([ref_data])
        try:
            created_item = creation_status["successful"]["0"]
            return created_item
        except KeyError as e:
            print(creation_status)
            raise CreateZoteroItemError from e